Peter Banda to miss Flames Afcon opener

The Flames’ preparations ahead of 2023 Afcon qualifiers has suffered a blow as Simba SC midfielder, Peter Banda sustains injury with only three days left before the opening game.

Banda was named in a 25-man squad expected to face Ethiopia at home on June 5 before travelling to Conakry for a second game against Guinea on June 9.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, the Flames Head coach Mario Marian Marinica revealed that the talented midfielder had a knock but he was not aware of it’s seriousness.

But reports reaching the Malawi Guardian on Thursday is that the playmaker has been ruled out for the two forthcoming games.

Banda joined his teammates in Lilongwe, at Ufulu Garden Sports Complex where the team is doing it’s preparations on Tuesday this week from Tanzania.

Following his injury, Banda joins Mark Fodya and Linbikani Mzava on the injury list.

Banda and Mzava were part of the squad that played Afcon finals in Cameroon as the team reached the round of 16 earlier this year.