Flames coach Meck Mwase has named five new faces in his 29-man squad of local based players who regrouped yesterday in preparation for next month’s 2022 Afcon qualifiers against South Sudan and Uganda.
TNM Super League current top-goal scorer Red Lions’ Royal Bokosi, his runner-up Maxwell Phodo for Silver Strikers, Ekwendeni Hammers duo of Patrick Banda and Eric Kawonga and Be Forward Wanderers new signing Vitumbiko Kumwenda have earned their first ever senior Flames call up.
Mwase said he decided to include the five following their impressive performance in the first nine weeks of the TNM Super League.
He said: “I decided to call these new faces to the national team because of two things: Firstly, I saw them playing when the Super League was on.”
“Secondly, in these times of Covid-19 we don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, so I thought it wise to include them.”
Mwase was apparently referring to Confederation of Africa (CAF) new regulation which states that minimum number of players for a match to go ahead is 11 if others test positive for Covid-19.
The Flames will play South Sudan away on March 24 before hosting Uganda’ Cranes on Monday March 29 at the Kamuzu Stadium.
Following the suspension of the the TNM Super League, the coach said the early camp was the best option.
Said Mwase: “If we are to qualify, we have to work very hard so that we win these two games. I am very happy that we are finally going into camp today.
“We know it is going to be tough, but we will try our best to make sure that our players are fit and ready for the games both mentally and physically.”
The team is expected to remain in camp until March 18, when Mwase will name the final squad for the two matches.
Below is the full squad:
Goalkeepers
Bright Munthali (Silver Strikers), William Thole (Mighty Wanderers), Ernest Kakhobwe (Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Thom (Silver Strikers) and Jailosi Kapalamula (Mafco).
Defenders
Stanley Sanudi (Wanderers), Peter Cholopi (Mighty Wanderes), Precious Sambani (Nyasa Big Bullets), Nixon Nyasulu (Nyasa Big Bullets), Paul Ndhlovu (Mafco), Eric Kawonga (Ekwendeni Hammers) and Mark Fodya (Silver Strikers)
Midfielders
Chimwemwe Idana (Nyasa Big Bullets), Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions), Rafick Namwera (Mighty Wanderers), Felix Zulu (Mighty Wanderers), Vitumbiko Kumwenda (Mighty Wanderers), Duncan Nyoni (Silver Strikers), Micium Mhone ( Blue Eagles), Chimango Kayira (Nyasa Big Bullets), Patrick Banda (Ekwendeni Hammers) and Mphatso Magaleta (Ntopwa)
Strikers
Hassan Kajoke (Nyasa Big Bullets), Stain Davie (Silver Strikers) Maxwell Phodo (Silver Strikers), Loyo Bokosi (Red Lions),Vincent Nyangulu (Mighty Wanderers) and Raphael Phiri (Civo).
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