Three new faces in Flames squad
Flames coach Meck Mwase has named three new faces in the 30-member squad scheduled to start non- residential training on Tuesday in preparation for back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Burkina Faso.
The trio are defenders Nickson Mwase and Eric Kaonga of Civil Sporting Club and Mlatho Mponela respectively, and Ntopwa FC midfielder Mphatso Magaleta.
The back-to-back matches will be played between March 23 and 31.
According to a statement from Football Association of Malawi (FAM), the non-residential training will be held in the three regions for three weeks before the team goes into full-time residential camp in March.
“Northern Region-based players will train at the Mzuzu Stadium under Charles Kamanga while those based in the Centre will work with Mwase’s assistant Lovemore Fazili at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
“Mwase, fitness trainer Bob Mpinganjira and goalkeeper trainer Swadick Sanudi will work with the Southern Region group at Kamuzu Stadium [in Blantyre],” reads part of the statement.
In an interview yesterday, Mwase clarified that although the squad has only two Northern Region-based players— defender Lusekero Malema (Karonga United) and Lloyd Njaliwa (Moyale Barracks)—they will be joined by others who are spending their holiday in the region.
TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets have 10 players namely goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda, defenders Precious Sambani, Gomezgani Chirwa and Nixon Nyasulu, midfielders Mike Mkwate, Peter Banda, Chimwemwe Idana and Chimango Kayira and strikers Patrick Phiri and Hassan Kajoke.
Be Forward Wanderers has eight players, namely goalkeeper William Thole, defenders Ted Sumani, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, midfielders Felix Zulu, Rafick Namwera and Isaac Kaliyati and striker Vincent Nyangulu.
Silver Strikers have contributed four players, namely goalkeepers Brightone Munthali and Charles Thom, defender Trevor Kalema and midfielder Duncan Nyoni while Blue Eagles have contributed midfielder Mecium Mhone and striker Foster Bitoni. Kamuzu Barracks have contributed goaltender Bonage Lweya.
