Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) plans of organising a strength testing match for the Flames before they play Tanzania, have hit a snag following South African clubs’ reluctance to release Flames players for the test match.
After drawing 2-2 with Swaziland, Flames coach Ernest Mtawali proposed a friendly before facing Tanzania on October 7 and FAM settled for Uganda’s Cranes.
The association wanted the Flames to camp in Uganda where they would play the Cranes on October 3 before proceeding to Tanzania the following day.
However, FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday said South African clubs were clinging to the players and would not be able to have a full squad by October 3.
“So it does not make sense to have a strength testing match without the South Africa-based players. We wanted to have a full squad for the strength testing match,” Nyirenda said.
Mtawali is yet to name his foreign-based players for the Tanzania trip.
But he called South Africa based Robert Ng’ambi, Robin Ngalande (Platinum Stars), Micium Mhone (Jomo Cosmos), Gerald Phiri Jnr (Bidvets Wits) and Limbikani Mzava (Mpumalanga Black Aces) in the Flames last assignment against Swaziland.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Ngalande got his first start in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) this season earning a place in Platinum Stars first 11 against Chippa United.
Ng’ambi also started for Platinum, but Kanyenda and Phiri were missing on the match day team sheet for their respective clubs.
