Flames goalkeeper trainer’s Cosafa trip flops

Flames will continue their participation at the on-going Cosafa Castle Cup without goalkeepers trainer Swadick Sanudi whose planned trip to Windhoek, Namibia last weekend failed to materialise.

Sanudi claims Football Association of Malawi (FAM) recalled him from Zimbabwe, where he was with the Flames for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier over a week ago, to attend a week-long Fifa goalkeeper trainers’ course at Mpira Village in Blantyre.

“While in Zimbabwe with the Flames, I was told to return home to attend this course, which could be beneficial to enhance the goalkeeping techniques of the Flames at Cosafa.  After the course last Friday, I was ready to travel to Namibia but FAM has told me the trip is no longer possible,” he said.

The former Flames goalminder said he is worried because he has learned a lot of goalkeeping skills he could impart to the Flames’ goalkeepers at the Cosafa tourney.

“I was told I can only join the Flames if head coach Ernest Mtawali drops a player from the squad but I felt that would not be a good move as it would stifle the players’ chance for international exposure. Nevertheless, there is nothing I can do now than wish the national team well,” said Sanudi.

However, FAM finance and administration director Chris Mdolo yesterday argued their financial muscle could not permit them to send Sanudi to the Cosafa contest after attending the first-ever goalkeeper trainers’ course, which was facilitated by Fifa Africa goalkeeping coordinator Alejandro Heredia.

“We already have a 25-member delegation at the Cosafa and we cannot afford to send another individual due to financial constraints. As you know, ife ndi olira [we are cash-strapped],” Mdolo said.  n