Limbikani Mzava ruled out
Malawi’s Flames Captain, Limbikani Mzava, has been ruled out of the forthcoming friendly match against Tanzania due to a knee injury.
The Flames are expected to face the Taifa Stars next week Saturday in Dar-es Salaam to prepare for Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifying matches against Morocco, Comoros and Cameroon from next March.
The Flames Team Manager, James Sangala, confirmed that Mzava got injured during his Golden Arrows’ match against Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa on Saturday.
“Arrows have communicated to us that Mzava has failed to recover from a knee injury. It is a big blow, but it is not a serious injury. We expect him back in the next friendly match scheduled for November,” Sangala said.
In a telephone interview from South Africa, Mzava yesterday said his team’s doctors have advised him to rest for some weeks.
“I am very disappointed that I will miss the game, but I need to respect the advice of the doctors. I am so sure that the team will continue from where we stopped in Morocco,” the sweeper said.
In Morocco, Malawi drew 1-1 against the hosts’ under-23 side before beating Togo 1-0 in friendly matches.
Meanwhile, the Flames Coach, Ronny van Geneugden, has called up Dwangwa United 19-year-old goalkeeper, Charles Thom, to replace injured Ernest Kakhobwe of Nyasa Big Bullets in the team’s four-day pre-camp training in Blantyre.
Sangala said Thom joined the squad on Tuesday whereas Wanderers winger Felix Zulu replaced team-mate Yamikani Chester, who is also injured.
“Kakhobwe and Chester are still injured, hence the decision to replace them. Their replacements were picked based on their performance over the weekend. They were very impressive and the Coach wants to have a closer look at them,” Sangala said.
But while Zulu has been with Wanderers since last season, Thom has only played 10 games for Dwangwa after being signed from Dwangwa Estate League side, Dwangwa Warriors.
Dwangwa Team Manager, Dave Mwandira, said van Geneugden watched Thom in action against Azam Tigers and Premier Bet Wizards on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
“Apparently, the Flames technical panel was impressed and we were not surprised when they asked him to join camp. He has saved [from embarrassment] our team with his great goalkeeping on several occasions and we have confidence in his abilities,” Mwandira said.
Thom joins other inexperienced youngsters such as Peter Banda of Griffin Young Stars FC and Chimwemwe Idana of Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve.
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