John Banda, Schumacher Kuwali yet to fly out

Malawi national football team captain John Banda and striker Schumacher Kuwali are yet to return to their Mozambican club as their work permits have expired.

The two players were scheduled to return to Mozambique last week soon after the goal-less draw between Malawi and Burkina Faso at Kamuzu Stadium in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

However, Banda and Kuwali are still in the country awaiting completion of work permit renewal processes.

Banda and Kuwali, who signed a one-year deal with the Mocambola League giants UD Songo before football was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, confirmed the development but declined to divulge more details.

Flames Team Manager Clement Kafwafwa also confirmed the two players’ delay to return to their club but said the issue had been sorted out.

Kafwafwa said the players would return to Mozambique next week.

“Everything has been sorted out and we expect them to go back to Mozambique next week. Issues to do with work permits take a bit of time and we just needed to exercise patience,” he added.

Banda featured in both matches against Burkina Faso as the Flames lost 3-1 away before a goal-less draw at home.

But Kuwali was an unused substitute in the second leg after featuring in the first match in Ouagadougou.

Mocambola League is expected to kick off on January 9 after the 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.

Songo, who finished as runners-up in the Mocambola League last season, have been seeded in the preliminary round of Caf Confederation Cup.