John Banda eyes Flames’ recall
John ‘CJ’ Banda is sweating his way to match fitness hoping to entice Flames’ interim coach Eddington Ng’onamo for a call-up for the remaining World Cup African qualifiers against Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria.
The Blue Eagles midfielder Banda, who has been out of action with a knee injury he suffered last July, is the Flames’ leading scorer in the qualifiers with two goals in three starts.
“I am now training hard but I don’t know if I will be recalled soon with the current panel. I will continue working hard,” he said through e-mail.
CJ, who rescued the Flames from the jaws of defeat in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria at the Kamuzu Stadium last June, spent some weeks training with Eagles reserves recently.
“So far, everything is OK. I am getting back to full fitness. I have started training with the main team. I am doing all I can to get the call-up. Let the coach do his job but I am capable of delivering the goods,” he added.
After scoring the last-gasp equaliser at the Kamuzu Stadium, CJ was on target again to put Malawi on 2-0 victory path over Chad. Joseph Kamwendo curled in the second killer goal.
In the qualifiers, the Flames, who are tied on five points with Group F leaders Nigeria, welcome Namibia then Kenya in back-to-back weeks early June before travelling to Lagos in September.
Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo said, when he was unveiled last month, his door would always be open to outstanding players. The coach consults each Super League club’s coach before he settles for a squad.
