Mario releases 27-man squad to face Egypt
By Antony Isaiah Jr:……….
The Flames Head Coach, Mario Marian Marinica has released a 27-man squad to face Egypt back-to-back this international break as the Flames moves from Saudi Arabia where they have been camping to Cairo, Egypt.
In his squad, Mario has included Polokwane City striker, Khudah Muyaba but Costol De Sol striker Richard Mbulu has been dropped out.
Mbulu who scored the goal against Uganda in 2020 to help the Flames to qualify for the delayed 2021 African Cup Of Nations was also dropped during the first phase of the qualifiers when the Malawi National Football Team faced Ethiopia’s Walyas at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe before travelling to Guinea to take on the Syli Nationale four days later.
Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder, Frank Willard is the new face for the Flames in the African Cup Of Nations qualifiers, Patrick Mwaungulu has also been included while Chawanangwa Gumbo who was among the scorers in Flames 8-0 win over Al-Ansar.
His squad has featured 9 foreign-based players with 18 local players. Gerrad Phiri whose Club Al Hilal is on the verge of qualifying for the Quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, Lloyd Njaliwa are some of the players that have been omitted.
Amazulu’s Gabadinho Mhango, Costol De Sol duo of Yamikani Chester and Chikoti Chirwa, Simba SC’s Peter Banda , Galaxy FC’s midfielder, Fransisco Madinga, Black Leopard’s Denis Chembezi, Botosani’s Charles Petro and UD Songo Captain, John CJ Banda have all traveled with the Flames for the tie.
Blue Eagles goalkeeper, Brighton Munthali, Silver Strikers Charles Thom and Nyasa Big Bullets’ Clever Mkungula will battle it out for the place between the sticks.
Meanwhile, Mario believes that his charges are ready to face the Pharaohs.
“Based on the circumstances, we are ready as we can get. Obviously, there are still a few days to go and we’ll intensify our preparations as we count down for the match. We are also expecting a number of foreign-based players
“Egypt are one of the African giants. They have world-class players in the likes of Mo [Mohammad] Salah, but it is their overall team performance that poses a threat.
“But that will not change our approach and, as always, we will try our best to get all the three points and we are not going there like lambs to be slaughtered,” he told the Nations.
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