Local fans want Mozambique-based Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo to get the Flames captaincy as the team prepares for an away 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia next week.
The new Flames technical panel headed by Eddington Ng’onamo is expected to name its first captain today (Friday). The panel will also name 10 home-based players who will make the Namibia trip.
Contributing on Mpira Ku Malawi soccer show on MIJ FM Radio Station on Wednesday night, 21 of the 45 callers voted for the Liga Maculmana midfielder to take over the armband.
They said he is more calm, hard-working and more experienced than any other player in the team, hence deserves the honour.
“I am a Bullets fan, but I appreciate that Kamwendo is better-placed to lead the team. He is one of the players who motivates the whole team when chips are down. We need such characters in Flames,” said one Frank Msiska from Zolozolo in Mzuzu.
Mike Mpani from Kawale Lilongwe said: “Joseph has seen it all as compared to the other players in that squad. He is one of the oldest players in the current squad and deserves to get the captaincy.”
About 15 other callers said the armband should be given to defender James Sangala who plays for Benfica in Angola.
The callers’ third choice was Robert Ng’ambi who plays for Platinum Stars in South Africa. He got five votes. Bullets winger Fischer Kondowe came fourth with one vote.
Peter Mponda is still regarded as Flames captain despite being out of action for two years due to injury.
Moses Chavula, who is also part of the squad to Namibia, has been the team’s stand-in captain for close to two years.
