Full house
Malawi National Football Team Head Coach Mario Marian Marinica has received a timely boost after three Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, joined the squad on Sunday evening ahead of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa. Flames stand-in-captain John CJ Banda of Mozambique and Tanzania- based Peter Banda were due to arrive in Durban Monday night.
Malawi National Football Team Head Coach Mario Marian Marinica has received a timely boost after three Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, joined the squad on Sunday evening ahead of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa.
The three players, namely defender Stanley Sanudi, midfielder Yamikani Chester and striker Chiukepo Msowoya, were left behind on Saturday when most members of the team left for South Africa.
The trio is in contention for tomorrow’s match against Lesotho, having had their first training session Monday.
Flames stand-in-captain John CJ Banda of Mozambique and Tanzania-based Peter Banda were due to arrive in Durban Monday night.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Communications and Competitions Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Marinica was delighted to welcome Sanudi, Chester and Msowoya in camp, having been left behind to feature for their club in a league match.
“It is true that Wanderers players who were left due to a club assignment on Saturday are now in camp. They had their first session and everyone is looking forward to the match,” he said.
The Nomads trio featured in Wanderers’ 3-0 drubbing of Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium.
Zakazaka said they were also expecting CJ Banda and Banda of Simba Sports Club to train with the team today, having arrived yesterday night.
Meanwhile, Zakazaka has said Nyasa Big Bullets defender Gomegzani Chirwa, who was sent back after losing his passport at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, will leave the country today to re-join the squad.
Flames will begin their Cosafa campaign against Lesotho at King Zwelithini Stadium tomorrow before taking on eSwatini on Friday at the same venue.
Malawi will then meet Mauritius at Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday.
The overall winner will advance to the quarterfinals and will face Senegal.
The Flames last reached the quarterfinals in 2019 but were knocked out following a 4-2 loss on post-match penalties to Zambia after drawing 2-2 in regulation time.
