Charles Petro, Denis Chembezi doubtful for Flames, three released
Big Bullets, Wanderers explain players’ injuries
With a week to go before Malawi national football team host South Sudan in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Meck Mwase-led technical panel is unsure about the availability of defenders Charles Petro and Denis Chembezi.
Petro, who plays for Nyasa Big Bullets, and Be Forward Wanderers’ Chembezi, are yet to return to camp after playing for their clubs in league and cup matches last weekend.
Flames Team Manager, James Sangala, said they were investigating reasons behind the duo’s failure to report for training.
“It is 50-50. We cannot say with certainty whether we will have their services or not. They have not been reporting for training since last week. We received communication from their clubs that they were nursing injuries but like in the case of Petro, we saw him playing for his club. We are in the process of finding out what is going on,” Sangala said.
Petro featured for Bullets in their 3-2 TNM Super League victory over Mzuni on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium.
He also played for the People’s Team in the F isd Challenge Cup round-of-16 clash against Karonga United which Bullets won 5-4 on post-match penalties at the same venue.
Bullets administrator, Albert Chigoga, said Petro was featuring for Bullets as his injury was not that serious.
“Petro picked a knock and was sent back from national team camping. We welcomed him back and our medical team is managing the injury. The main problem could be the way the Flames medical team manages such cases. It is not a serious injury and we are treating Petro as he continues playing,” Chigoga said.
Wanderers Team Manager, Victor Maunde, said Chembezi was sent back after Flames medical team concluded that he had an injury.
“Chembezi is nursing an injury and his condition remains as such. Our coach [Bob Mpinganjira] is with the national team and is aware of this,” Maunde said.
Meanwhile, Wanderers attacker Felix Zulu, Kamuzu Barracks goalkeeper Bondage Lweya and Mzuni striker Lackson Sangano have been released from camp.
After the South Sudan match on November 13 at Kamuzu Stadium, the Flames will travelling to Kampala to play against Uganda three days later.
