National Sports

Kinnah names squad for Zambia game

Malawi national football team (Flames) coach Kinnah Phiri has called up 25 home-based players to go into camp today (Sunday) in preparation for Friday’s international friendly match against African Champions Zambia’s Chipolopolo that will be part of the country’s 48th Independence Anniversary Celebrations at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on July 6..

The only notable new face is Big Bullets up-and-coming midfielder Ian Chinyama. The notable names that have been recalled to the squad after some time are defender Oscar Chapitapansi, midfielders Nafe Msasa, Jester Mlima and Patrick Masanjala.

Striker Green Harawa has also been recalled after bouncing back to action following an injury.

According to FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, the team will be camping at the Chiwembe Technical Centre and will start training on Monday.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu and Flames coach Kinnah Phiri said the match will play a crucial role in helping the Flames to tune up for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Said Nyamilandu: “The match will definitely give the coaching panel a chance to assess potential local talent. It also keeps us to be active every month until September when we are supposed to play the Africa Cup of Nations final round of qualification.”

On his part, Kinnah said: “The development comes as a relief because Zambia are the reigning African champions and the match will definitely help us prepare for the final round of the 2013 Afcon qualifiers in which we expect to be drawn against a continental giant.”

The African champions have named a 26-member squad that is expected to go into camp in Lusaka tomorrow to start preparations for the game.

Zambia’s coach Herve Renard has included two foreign-based players—Moses Siansumo of TP Mazembe in DR Congo and defender Aaron Katebe of Zimbabwean side Hwange.

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) spokesperson Erick Mwanza said the Chipolopolo would have at least a game every month, starting next month and that on the Fifa date in August, the African champions would face South Korea in a friendly match, marking the beginning of Zambia’s preparations for the 2013 Afcon qualifiers.

Following is the full Flames squad: Goalkeepers: Charles Swini, Richard Chipuwa and Amadu Ali. Defenders: Foster Namwela, Chapitapansi, Pilira Makupe, George Nyirenda, Steve Chagoma, Bongani Kaipa, Francis Mulimbika; Midfielders: Chinyama, Chimango Kaira, Masanjala, Frank Banda, Nafe Msasa, Joseph Kamwendo, Jester Mlima, Ndaziona Chatsalira, John Banda, Innocent Bokosi, Peter Pindani; Strikers: Gabadini Mhango, Rodrick Gonani, Harawa and Ishmael Thindwa.

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