Flames to face TZ on Oct 7
The Flames will face Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on October 7 in Dar es Salaam, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) said yesterday.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said: “We have secured an international friendly match against Tanzania and everything has been finalised.
“This is in line with our plans to have the national team play international friendly matches on Fifa dates.”
The match is in preparation for the next 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B qualifier against Morocco’s Atlas Lions scheduled for March next year in Rabat.
Meanwhile, FAM has released a 26-member squad which is scheduled to go into camp today at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
Coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) has included two Under-20 players—Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves midfielder Chimwemwe Idana and Griffin Young Stars striker Peter Banda.
The coach said he has included the two players because of their impressive performance during Under-20 training last week.
“This is a deliberate move to prepare them for the future. I want to be assessing them frequently, but if they prove that they deserve to be part of the squad then I will include them.
“I do not necessarily look at the ages when selecting players, but rather those that have quality and are capable.
“Similarly, I included in the Under-20 squad last week, two Under-17 players that were outstanding during training,” he said.
The other notable new face in the squad is Azam Tigers goalkeeper William Thole who was among the over-aged players that were thrown out of the Under-20 camp last week.
Returning to the squad are defenders John Lanjesi and Ian Chinyama as well as midfielder Levison Maganizo who missed the recent trip to Morocco due to injuries.
The coach has also included injured goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe and midfielder Yamikani Chester for medical assessment.
The coach said the list of foreign-based players will be released within the week, “but there might not be changes from those that travelled to Morocco”.
The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Thole, Kakhobwe Brightone Munthali and Richard Chipuwa; Defenders: Dennis Chembezi, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Gomezgani Chirwa, Miracle Gabeya, Yamikani Fodya, Lanjesi, Mark Fodya and Chinyama; Midfielders: Simeon Singa, Chikoti Chirwa, Jabulani Linje, Mike Mkwate, Chester, Idana and Maganizo; Wingers/attackers: Righteous Banda, Misheck Botomani, Mathews Sibale, Fletcher Bandawe, Mphatso Phillimon, Peter Banda and Kakhobwe. n
