Gome, Mhone among other dropped as Mabedi goes for “Merit” on his squad selection

By Antony Isaiah Jr……..

Flames Caretaker Coach, Patrick Mabedi has released a 30-man local players squad to go in camp on Monday ahead of the TotalEnergies African Cup Of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia’s Walyas next week in Mozambique.

Mabedi in his squad has dropped regular players who have according to him failed to perform recently and have been not active.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets trio of Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani and Patrick Mwaungulu have all been dropped from the list with the two defenders just coming into the game after missing the first three Super League games due to injuries.

Patrick Mwaungulu has played every game for Bullets this season and has three assists but has seen his name being dropped from the squad.

Blue Eagles’ duo of Schumacher Kuwali and Micium Mhone have been left out of the squad despite the later having a good season since the 2023-24 Football Season rolled out.

Kuwali has missed the last three games for Blue Eagles in the TNM Super League as he was sent off in their game against Silver Strikers while Mhone who was the regular under the fired Mario Marian Marinica has scored three goals this season. Gilbert Chirwa has also been dropped out.

Silver Strikers duo of Stain Davie and Charles Thom who were the starters in Mario’s team have all been left out.

Chiukepo Msowoya who returned to the international stage under Mario’s titulage has been left out, so too with his teammate, Miracle Gabeya.

In his squad, Mabedi has included uncapped players like Bangwe All Stars’ duo of Chikumbutso Salima and Robert Saizi Gomez who have been the stars for Bangwe this season.

Salima has scored three goals this season and also winning two man of the matches while Gomez who failed to seal a move to Bullets last season was a marvel to watch in Bangwe’s 2-0 defeat to Bullets.

Civil Service United’s Timothy Silwimba and Lloyd Aaron have been named in the squad while Patrick Macheso and Chikondi Kamanga are the new faces that are coming from Silver Strikers to join the camp.

Mighty Waka Waka Tigers’ goal-minder, Innocent Nyasulu will battle it out for the starting place in goals with Brighton Munthali, Williams Thole and Clever Mkungula.

Backing his decision on the selection, Mabedi says he needs players who are playing regularly.

“We strictly looked at selecting players that are playing and, most importantly, those that are fit and on top of their game.

“It cuts across the board, it’s not for a selected few. Mind you, we are still competing and not just participating. So, we need to select players based on merit. Selection needs to be earned, it’s not guaranteed.

“Players who are playing games have confidence while those who are not, don’t have confidence. We need players who are playing regularly and we need to be competing rather than participating,” he said.

When asked on Clever Mkungula, Mabedi says, “He has qualities that I admire. He played at least 25 minutes last week in Lilongwe and I have seen some qualities. That’s why he is appearing as the last goalkeeper on the list,” he added.

Flames Full Squad to go into camp on Monday

Goalkeepers
Brighton Munthali (Blue Eagles), William Thole (Wanderers), Innocent Nyasulu (Tigers), Clever Mkungula (Bullets)

Defenders
Stanley Sanudi (Wanderers) Mark Lameck (Blue Eagles), Mark Fodya (Silver Strikers), Timothy Silwimba (Civil Service United), Jacob Robert (Blue Eagles), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers), Lawrence Chaziya (Wanderers), Kelvin Banda (Tigers), Blessings Mpokera (Bullets), Paul Ndhlovu (Mafco)

Midfielders
Chikumbutso Salima (Bangwe All Stars), Misheck Botomani (Wanderers), Alick Lungu (Bullets), Robert Gomez (Bangwe), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Bullets ), Frank Willard (Bullets), Lloyd Aaron (Civil service), Chawanangwa Gumbo (Bullets), Chimwemwe Idana (Silver Strikers), Chikondi Kamanga (Silver Strikers), Patrick Macheso (Silver Strikers)

Strikers
Christopher Kumwembe (Wanderers), Gaddie Chirwa (Wanderers), Mphatso Kamanga (Wanderers), Alfred Sapanga (Red Lions)
Clement Nyondo (Dedza Dynamos).