Flames, U-23 to train together

The Malawi national football team will have a joint training with the Under-23.

The Flames go into camp in preparation for the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) away qualifier against the Comoros on November 17.

This follows Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden (RVG) on Friday releasing names of local players to start preparations today in Blantyre, a week after the Under-23 national team started camping for African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Botswana on November 23.

“We are going to train together as one group as it will help us share same tactics and the level of training will also be intensive,” he said.

The Belgian expatriate ruled out that the bigger squad could be difficult to manage.

“When we go to camp its 24 players and now we will just have five or six players more when we [the senior team and Under-23] train together. For me, it’s not a problem.”

Team manager James Sangala also said the arrangement would not affect the training programmes for both teams.

“Although we will be training together the management of the two teams will be different. They have their own coaches. It’s only that the senior team will have fewer players because of Be Forward Wanderers players who will join camp late [Wednesday],” he said.

In a related development Flames legend Lawrence Lule Waya is expected to arrive today from South Africa to join the coaching staff as striker trainer.

“All arrangements are in place for Lawrence Waya to come tomorrow [today]. He accepted a long time and would have come during the preparations for the Cameroon game,” Sangala said.

RVG said it was necessary for former players to work with the national team.

“It’s important that Lule should join us. I talked to him, he is willing to assist with detailed training for strikers,” he said.

RVG added: “It’s important he brings his experience to the team.”

The list of players called up into the Flames camp is as follows:

Goalkeepers; Brighton Munthali (Silver Strikers), Charles Thom  (Dwangwa),  Rabson Chiyenda (Nyasa Big Bullets), Nenani Juwaya (Be Forward Wanderers),

Defenders; Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Precious Sambani, and Denis Chembezi (Be Forward Wanderers), John Lanjesi and Yamikani Fodya  (Nyasa Big Bullets, Gomezgani Chirwa  (Civil Sporting Club), Trevor Kalema  (Silver Strikers).

Midfielders;  Alfred Manyozo Jnr (Be Forward Wanderers), Levison Maganizo  (Silver Strikers), Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions)

Strikers and wingers; Felix Zulu  and Yamikani Chester (Be Forward Wanderers), Chiukepo Msowoya and Patrick Phiri (Nyasa  Big Bullets),  Gastin Simkonda (Moyale Barracks), Stain Davie (TN Stars), Duncan Nyoni and Khuda Muyaba ( Silver Strikers),  Peter Katsonga (Tigers FC) and Miciumm Mhone  (Blue Eagles).

But Munthali, Thom, Chiyenda, Juwaya,Cholopi, Sambani, Chembezi , Kalema, Maganizo, Patrick Phiri are also in the Under-23 squad. n