Flames tune-up for Black Stars

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has said tonight’s international strength-testing match against Liberia’s Lone Star will play a vital role in preparing for Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final qualification round first leg against Ghana.

The Flames, who were scheduled to arrive in Monrovia, Liberia last evening, will face the Lone Star at Samuel Doe Sports Complex from 8pm.

“Tuesday’s friendly match is very important because it will help us tune-up for Ghana. I will use the match to try a number of combinations and the strategy we intend to use for the Ghana game,” Kinnah said from Ethiopia on Monday.

He also said the match will help him assess fitness levels of his foreign-based charges namely defender Limbikani Mzava, midfielders Robert ‘Baggio’ Ng’ambi and Peter Wadabwa and strikers Atusaye Nyondo, Robin Ngalande and Jimmy Zakazaka.

Added Kinnah: “It will also help us see how we can handle the pressure playing away and also acclimatise to the weather conditions since Liberia is near Ghana.”

He hinted that he might feature red-hot teenage sensation Gabadinho Mhango in the starting line-up.

Gabadinho, who has only made two substitute appearances for the Flames against China Under-23 and Zambia, said he will play his lungs out should he be featured.

“I want to translate my club performance to the national team,” he said.

Meanwhile, save for defender Harry Nyirenda, all the other foreign-based players joined the squad in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on Sunday.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said Harry will join the squad in Accra on Wednesday.

Liberia, who bask in the glory of being the only African country to produce Fifa World Player of the Year in George Oppong Weah, are set to feature a full-strength squad as they too are preparing for a Nations Cup final qualification match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at home.

Their key players include George Gebro and the suspended trio of South Africa-based striker Anthony Laffor, Franci ‘Grandpa’ Doe and Swedish-based Dioh Williams.