Flames duo in Botswana, Zambia for trials
Flames strikers Stain Davie and Richard Mbulu are trying their luck at Botswana’s Township Rollers and Zambia’s Zesco United, respectively.
Davie impressed the Botswana outfit during the 2022 Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa, although he did not register his name on the score sheet in three matches.
The Silver Strikers forward left the country on Saturday morning for three-week trials.
Silver Chief Executive Officer Thokozani Chimbali said, while in Botswana, the player will undergo technical and medical assessments.
“It was supposed to be an outright deal but he got injured; so, they want to assess him further. We wish the player well and we are hopeful that he will succeed,” Chimbali said.
The former TN Stars striker is slowly becoming an important player for the Flames under Marian Mario Marinica. He started both Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea in June this year.
He performed well, creating some chances, and was involved in the award of the penalty that culminated in Gabadinho Mhango scoring the first goal in the 2-1 over Ethiopia at Bingu National Stadium.
Davie has been one of the most consistent players in domestic football, having scored double-figure goals every season for four consecutive years.
However, Davie was not readily available for his comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, Mbulu started his trials at Zesco last week, just two months after he left relegated Baroka FC at the end of his contract.
Mbulu, who was also linked with a move to Golden Arrows, featured for the Zambian club in a pre-season tournament against Green Eagles at Nkoloma Stadium.
The striker, who is slowly being discarded at Flames under Marinica, has not featured for the national team since the Afcon finals in Cameroon early this year. He missed both Afcon qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea as well as the Cosafa Cup.
Former Flames midfielder Sherry Msuku said both Mbulu and Davie have chances of clinching deals.
“They are both good players. For Stain, it will be good for him to start playing in Botswana. He can score more goals for Rollers,” he said.
If Mbulu signs for Zesco, he will be the second Malawian to play for the club after Luka Bruno Milanzi, who moved to Zambia on loan from TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
