Flames stars trickle in

Malawi national football team foreign land-based players are expected to join camp today at Mpira Village in preparations for the first leg of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday.

North Carolina FC versatile forward, Yamikani Chester, is in the country for off season break and he has been training with the team ahead of the clash.

Majority of the foreign land-based players including John Banda, Gerald Phiri Junior, Gabadihno Mhango and Richard Mbulu are expected to join the squad today.

But Robin Ngalande, who is based in Azerbaïdjan with Zira FC, will join the squad tomorrow.

Flames Team Manager, James Sangala confirmed that the senior side will have a full squad by tomorrow.

“We expect to have all the players by Tuesday so that we continue our preparations for the match,” Sangala said.

The Flames will travel to Kampala, Uganda for their second Group B match at Mandela National Stadium on Sunday.

Banda, who is the Flames stand in captain in the absence of Limbikani Mzava and John Lanjesi, said they want to start the qualifiers strongly.

“For us to reach the Promised Land, we need to start the campaign with a win. There is unity in the team and we are confident of a good start,” he said.

The Flames last qualified for the Afcon finals in 2010 with just four points when it was hosted in Angola. But there is renewed hope under Coach Meck Mwase after impressive results since he took over.

Malawi also qualified for the Group Stages of the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers after eliminating Botswana 1-0 on aggregate.