Malawi national football team coach Meck Mwase has named a 32- member squad in preparation for upcoming assignments during the Fifa international dates for friendly matches set for October 5 to 13.
However, conspicuously missing from the squad is controversial South Africa-based Polokwane City striker Khuda Muyaba.
But estranged captain Limbikani Mvaza, who has just been offloaded at his club Highlands Park, returns to the Flames after two years absence.
Mwase said the centre back was now ready to return to the squad after the lengthy break.
“I have been in contact with Mzava. We have been monitoring him. We have always been inviting him, but unfortunately, he couldn’t come because of some injuries. But now he is ready to come back. We know he is committed to playing for Malawi,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muyaba vented his anger after being dropped on Facebook.
“I scored 21 goals to win the TNM Super League Golden Boot. Now I am a professional player, but you have dropped me again. Why?” the former Silver Strikers forward said in the post.
Other foreign-based players in the squad are Gerald Phiri Jnr, Richard Mbulu (Baroka FC, Frank Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates), John Banda, Schumaker Kuwali (UD Songo), Charles Petro (FC Sheriff), Chawanangwa Kaonga (TS Sporting), Francisco Madinga (FC Dila Gori), Denis Chembezi (Polokwane) and Yamikani Chester (Las Vegas Lights).
FAM communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they are confident that the foreign-based players will join the squad despite travel restrictions due to Covid-19 pandemic.
He said: “Luckily most of them are based in South Africa where the government has announced that they will open their borders by October 1. The other players are based in Europe [Petro and Madinga] and USA [Chester], where the borders are open
The Flames 21 local-based players will go into camp on Monday at Mpira Village in Blantyre while the foreign-based will join the team a week before the Fifa dates as per regulations.
FAM wants to use either the Cosafa Cup or the two friendly matches to prepare for back-to-back 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Burkina Faso away on November 9 and at home on November 17.
Though Cosafa has set October 2-17 as the dates for the regional tournament, it is yet to confirm since South Africa borders remain closed until October 1.
The list of local players is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Brighton Munthali, Rabson Chiyenda, Ernest Kakhobwe and William Thole
Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani, Nickson Nyasulu and Hadji Wali
Midfielders: Chimango Kaira, Peter Banda, Chimwemwe Idana, Chikoti Chirwa, Raffick Namwera, Isaac Kaliati, Duncan Nyoni and Micium Mhone
Strikers: Foster Biton, Vincent Nyangulu and Hassan Kajoke.
