Five new faces in flames camp

The Head of Technical Panel for the Malawi National Football Team, Mario Marian Marinica has beefed up his squad ahead of the Chan fixture against Mozambique with five players.

Three Mighty Wanderers players, Yamikani Chester, Miracle Gabeya, Muhammad Sulumba, Dedza Dynamos goalkeeper Donex Mwakisinga and Blue Eagles midfielder, Gilbert Chirwa are the players that have caught Marinica’s eyes.

Marinica said he ropes in players who are in form.

“I always say that players have to be in form in order to be considered for the national team call up. Those that are back in the squad and the new ones are in form. We are still monitoring players, so the door remains open for everyone, ” said Marinica.

Yamikani Chester was dropped from the initial squad due to poor performance but with the coming of Alex Ngwira, the pacey attacker has rediscovered his form having two contributions in two games.

He scored against Dedza Dynamos and was named the man of match before displaying another brilliant performance in Blantyre Derby where he assisted Muhammad Sulumba’s equalising goal in the 88th minute.

Miracle Gabeya who has been outstanding for Nomads since completing his move from the cross town rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets starting at least 15 of 18 games. His outstanding performance convinces Marinica to roped him in.

After missing for a while in Flames Colours, Muhammad Sulumba has returned to the Flames camp after impressive performance in League this season.

The former Nyasa Big Bullets, Civil Service United Striker has scored 9 goals in League for Wanderers and he is neck to neck with Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju as they are battling for the golden Boot award.

Donex Mwakisinga has been an integral component in Dedza’s good run of form with his outstanding saves. He has helped the Salima Sponsored Sugar to 6th place.

Gilbert Chirwa has been in an excellent form helping Blue Eagles to be on position two and qualify for the quarterfinals of the FDH Bank Cup.

The Flames have regrouped during the morning hours for their second week of camping in preparations of TotalEnergies African National Championship second round qualifiers against Mozambique next week.

Nyasa Big Bullets players have not reported for the camp as they will join their team on a trip to Mzuzu for a FDH Bank Cup Quarterfinal game against Chitipa United on Saturday and they are expected to rejoin the squad in Sunday.

In-stand Captain for the Flames, Stanley Sanudi says everything is going well in preparations of the game.

“Preparations are going well starting from yesterday. The squad is mainly comprised of familiar faces, yes there are new faces but it has been dominated by the familiar faces,” said Sanudi.

He added that players are eager to sail through the next round of the competition and make new history.

“We have been struggling to qualify previously. However, we have a new coach, new players what we are doing is to obey and follow the coach’s philosophy for us to go through the next stage.

“We have been playing against Mozambique in different tournaments even in Cosafa, we are under studying them so that we do the homework,” added Anyima.

Malawi have qualified for the second round of the competition without kicking a ball following Zimbabwe’s FIFA ban while Mozambique beat Zambia.