Egypt name strong squad
Young Chimodzi’s resolve to spearhead the Flames to their next Africa Cup of Nations qualification, will be under scrutiny this evening as Malawi date Egypt in an international friendly match.
Chimodzi knows his fate lies in the 2017 Afcon qualification.
The former Flames skipper led his charges to lift the Cosafa Cup Plate Division in South Africa last week.
However, Chimodzi, his backroom staff and players faces solid battle as Egypt’s Argentine coach Héctor Cúper has named a strong squad.
Defender Ahmed Elmohamady of relegated
English Premier League side, Hull City, Ramy Rabia of Sporting and former Chelsea forward Mohamed Salah now playing for Fiorentina, are part of the squad.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) general secretary, Sugzo Nyirenda, said Egypt were ideal opponents before Flames host, Zimbabwe on Saturday in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Egypt are the most successful African team at Confederation level, winning the Afcon seven times including the inaugural championship in Sudan in 1957 and at home two years later. They repeated the feat 1959, 1986 and 2006, and in Burkina Faso in 1998, Ghana in 2008, and Angola in 2010.
“Of course this is just a friendly match and our counterparts have also named a strong squad with foreign based players as well. It will give coach Chimodzi a clue on what he should do. He will be able to assess the players and check combinations. Some of the players that missed the Cosafa Cup are now with the team and it is proper for the coach to monitor how they will gel,” he said.
South Africa based professionals Robert Ng’ambi and Gabadinho Mhango have missed the ship.
Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo, Esau Kanyenda, Atusaye Nyondo, Limbikani Mzava, Robin Ngalande, Charles Swini, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Chimango Kayira are part of the squad.
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