Thuso, two more in Under-23 squad

Under-23 national football team coach Meke Mwase has called three more players into the squad that is preparing for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Botswana.

Mwase has drafted in Silver Strikers duo of playmaker Thuso Paipi and defender Hadji Wali, and Bullets Reserves blossoming striker Hassan Kajoke.

Under-23 assistant coach Peter Mponda yesterday said they decided to draft in the three players due to their recent outstanding performance.

“We wanted to have a closer look at these players. They have been doing well at their clubs,” he said.

However, the team is without Silver Strikers midfielder Jack Chiona, who got injured during training, according to team manager James Sangala.

The Junior Flames face Botswana on November 17 away in Gaborone while the second leg is set for Civo Stadium in Lilongwe three days later.

The Under-23 are training together with the senior team, the Flames, at Kamuzu Stadium.

The Flames are preparing for their crucial Afcon qualifier against Comoros on the same day the Under-23 play Botswana.

The development means some Under-23 players such as Patrick Phiri, Levison Maganizo, Precious Sambani and Brighton Munthali will miss the first leg and will only be available in the second leg.

The winner of the two-legged qualifier will face seeded Zambia in the second round of the competition.

Egypt qualified automatically as hosts of the tournament while the remaining seven spots will be determined by the qualifying rounds.

The tournament was initially scheduled to take place in Zambia, but they withdrew from hosting in July 2017.

The tournament will also determine which three African teams will compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics men’s football tournament in Japan.