Maunde happy with Flames debut

Debutant Bashir Maunde patted himself on the back for a near-faultless display in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Sao of Chad at Kamuzu Stadium.

With experienced defenders Foster Namwela joining camp late and LimbikaniMzava serving red card suspension, coach Young Chimodzi threw into the deep end the Big Bullets’ new signing.

“I am happy with my performance. I followed the coach’s instructions to the letter. I have never played for any national team at any level and at this level, it is a totally different ball game,” Maunde explained in a post-match interview.

The right-back, who plays as a sweeper for club, said he was hoping for more national team appearances. The Flames travel to Chad on the weekend of May 30 for the return leg.

“I cannot say that I have earned myself a regular position. All I need is to keep on working hard and step up the gear, hopefully a second chance will present itself to me. Playing for me the national team has made realise that experience is very important at this level. With club football, you face opposition but most of the times it is not as strong. With the national team, you need to be on your toes all the time,” Maunde, the former Azam Tigers and Escom United boy, noted.

Other defenders such as Pilirani Zonda and George Nyirenda did not make the substitutes bench and Chimodzi was vindicated with Maunde’s fierce displays.