Malawi National Football Team’s preparations for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers continue to face setbacks, the latest being that Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets players will not take part in this week’s training sessions.
This comes after 13 out of the 31 players that have been called into camp reported for camp as the Flames relocated to Lilongwe on Sunday ahead of the matches.
The Flames will host Sao Tome and Principle at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe next week, before travelling to Equatorial Guinea four days later.
Last week, Wanderers and Bullets players reported for Flames camp at Mpira Village in Blantyre.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Technical Manager James Sangala confirmed Tuesday that Bullets’ and Wanderers’ players will join camp after their crucial assignments this weekend.
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“As you are aware, Wanderers and Bullets had matches in Mzuzu and, then, travelled straight to Blantyre. We have agreed that the players will join camp after their matches,” Sangala said.
Wanderers, who are coming straight from two consecutive defeats, are expected to host Dedza Dynamos on Saturday where as Bullets will host Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
In an interview, Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi said they did not release the players to protect them from fatigue.
“The players did not have enough rest for the past two weeks after two away matches in the league. It does not make sense for them to travel to Lilongwe on Monday and go back to Blantyre on Wednesday for the match on Saturday. They will go back to camp immediately after the match,” he said.
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Wanderers have contributed defenders Lawrence Chaziya, Stanley Sanudi, midfielder Wisdom Mpinganjira, strikers Gaddie Chirwa and Christopher Kumwembe.
Bullets have contributed eight players, namely Innocent Nyasulu, Precious Sambani, Blessings Mpokera, Yamikani Mologeni, Patrick Mwaungulu, Lloyd Aaron and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Crispin Mapemba, Ephraim Kondowe and Chikumbutso Salima were called into camp but have been ruled out due to injuries.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga was not readily available for a comment Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Silver Strikers defender Maxwell Paipi has earned a Flames call-up after his impressive performances.
The Flames have three points from two matches following the 1-0 victory over Liberia and loss to Tunisia by a similar margin.
Tunisia and Namibia lead the group with six points from two matches.
Liberia and Malawi are third and fourth, respectively, with three points each.
Equatorial Guinea are fifth after becoming the subject of Fifa sanctions for featuring ineligible player Emilio Nsue Lopez.
