Marinica ropes in Lule,16 new faces

Flames coach Mario Marinica has roped in legendary Lawrence ‘Lule’ Waya to be part of his backroom staff ahead of preparations for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and Africa Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers.

The Romanian has called 16 uncapped players in his 30-member squad of local players for the Flames camp which starts on May 8 in Blantyre.

The 58-year-old unveiled the squad yesterday at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.

The uncapped players are goalkeeper Clever Nkungula; defenders Blessing Mpokera, Kelvin Kadzinje, Frank Chikufenji, Hadji Wali and Patrick Banda; midfielders Innocent Msowoya and Chawanangwa Ghumba; attackers Stain Dave, Anthony Mfune, Mphatso Kamanga, Gaddie Chirwa, Zeliati Nkhoma, Hebert Wayekha, Peter Macheso and Bailikinyo Mwakanyongo.

Marinica announced that Waya has been roped in as a data analyst intern alongside Under-20 national team coach Patrick Mabedi and Civil Service United coach Franco Ndawa, who have been drafted in as assistant coaches.

Briton Clwyd Jones, who was part of Marinica’s backroom staff at the delayed 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon, has been retained.

James Sangala has returned as technical support manager, a position which was previously known as team manager while Major Rodgers Mhango is his assistant.

Victor Mphande is the goalkeeper trainer, Gift Ligomeka is team doctor while Chikondi Mandalasi is physiotherapist.

Marinica said he, among others, looked at coaches with computer skills and qualifications.

“I cast the net wide in consultation with FAM technical sub-committee, Sulom and coaches association. We looked at consistency and continuity and every single man in the coaching panel must be computer literate to analyse players,” he said.

Meanwhile, Marinica has said eight players, whose names were not mentioned, were on reserve.

The Flames gaffer also said the door is still open for other players that will impress.

Marinica also assured clubs that they would have access to their players for matches, but urged them to cooperate.

FAM competitions and media director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the camp, which is in preparation for 2023 Afcon and 2023 Africa Nations Championship (Chan)qualifiers, will start on Sunday.

The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers; Ernest Kakhobwe, Nkungula and Charles Thom; Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Paul Ndhlovu, Mpokera, Lungu, Mark Fodya, Kadzinje, Gomezgani Chirwa, Chikufenji, Wali, Precious Sambani, Patrick Banda and Wayekha; Midfielders; Mwakanyongo, Macheso, Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Chester, Schumacher Kuwali, Micium Mhone, Chikoti Chirwa, Innocent Msowoya and Ghumbo; Attackers: Stain Dave, Mfune, Kamanga, Gaddie Chirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya and Nkhoma.