Malawi’s foreign-based players jet in

Malawi national football coach Kinnah Phiri now has almost a full-strength squad for Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations decisive qualifier against Ghana following the arrival of six foreign-based players.

Inspirational midfielder Robert Ng’ambi, defender Harry Nyirenda and strikers Atusaye Nyondo and Zicco Mkanda arrived at around noon on Monday aboard a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg at Kamuzu International Airport.

Forward Esau Kanyenda arrived on Friday while Robin Ngalande jetted in on Saturday from South Africa as the Flames stepped up their preparations for the decisive showdown.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed the six players’ arrival saying the last to arrive will be Peter Wadabwa who is expected in the country later Tuesday.

“I can confirm that Esau and Robin arrived at the weekend while the others have just arrived.

“We are expecting Wadabwa to arrive tomorrow [today],” said Nyirenda.

Ng’ambi and Kanyenda insisted that while the Flames could be down, the battle is not yet over.

Said Ng’ambi: “Of course, the harsh reality is that we are down, but we should get solace in the fact that the battle is not yet over.

“The attitude going into this game should be that if they beat us at their backyard, we can also do the same here.”

Kanyenda said the psychological preparation will be vital ahead of the encounter.

“We’ll have to start at full throttle and take the game to the Ghanaians. The odds are stacked against us, but we still have a chance since we’ll be playing at home,” said Kanyenda.