Foreign-based players continue to trickle in
Cyprus-based forgotten midfielder Tawonga Chimodzi and John ‘CJ’ Banda, who plays in Mozambique, are expected to arrive in the country today to join the Flames ahead of Sunday’s international friendly against Tanzania.
Chimodzi, who plays in the Cypriot second-tier league, will be making a return to the Flames after a nine-year absence, having last played in 2012 against Chad.
Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the South Africa-based quartet of captain Limbikani Mzava, Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango, Richard Mbulu and Gerald Phiri Jnr are expected in the country tomorrow, virtually completing the Flames’ squad for the match.
The four will join the Malawi national football team following the conclusion of the 2020/21 DStv Premiership season in which Mzava’s Amazulu finished as runners-up to champions Mamelodi Sundowns while Mhango’s Pirates finished third.
Mbulu and Phiri’s Baroka FC finished 10th in the 16-team league.
Said Zakazaka: “If all goes according to plan, we should have a full squad by Tuesday [tomorrow].”
Scotland-based left-back Kieran Ngwenya, who plays for top-flight league side Aberden arrived on Saturday and will be hoping to make his debut against the Taifa Stars.
Khuda Muyaba and Dennis Chembezi, who play for Polokwane City in the South African second-tier league, arrived on Thursday so too the Moldova-based duo of Peter Banda and Charles Petro.
Greece-based midfielder Fransisco Madinga ruled himself out due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
