Three SA-based players to train with Flames
FAM has said three more South Africa-based players —midfielder Tawonga Chimodzi and forwards Robin Ngalande and Jimmy Zakazaka—will be allowed to train with the Flames on nonresidential basis.
The three players, who will be in the country on holiday next week, were not part of the initial 35-member squad called up in preparation for the forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya as well as next weekend’s strength-testing match against Zimbabwe.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed that following further consultation with the coaching panel, it was agreed to ask the three players to train with the Flames.
“Since the season in South Africa is ending this week, the coaching panel felt the three should still be given a chance to train with the team and depending on their performance during training, they could be drafted into the squad,” said Nyirenda.
On whether this will not be viewed as segregation since they will not be part of the squad in camp, Nyirenda said: “Government directed that we should not have a squad of more than 25 players bearing in mind the issue of resources and that is why we have made such an arrangement.”
Quizzed on the logistics, considering that Ngalande and Chimodzi stay in Lilongwe, Nyirenda said: “I am sure they will find a place to stay. After all, it is not the first time we have come up with such an arrangement.”
However, three other local players—Victor Mpinganjira, Dalitso Sailesi and Sparrow Msowoya—snubbed a similar arrangement when they were called into camp in preparation for the Namibia game.
Former Flames defender Ojukwu ‘Abusa’ Malunga said the arrangement has both its advantages and disadvantages.
“It is an advantage in the sense that the players might want to prove to the coaches that they deserve to be in the squad by giving out something extra. But at the same time, they could indeed be demoralised as an element of segregation comes into play, but in the end it depends on how the players themselves will view the offer,” said Malunga.
Meanwhile, Kamuzu Barracks burly forward Joel Chipofya has been called up as a replacement for Red Lions forward Boniface Kaulesi who did not show up for training.
Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo also said Fischer Kondowe, who was nursing a knee injury, has recovered and was expected to resume training yesterday.
In a related development, South Africa-based forwards Atusaye Nyondo and Peter Wadabwa are set to miss the Zimbabwe game due to club commitments.
