Domestic football giants FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers have refused to release their players for the first week of Malawi National Football Team training camp.
The Flames regrouped on Sunday at Mpira Village in Blantyre in preparation for a 4-Nations tournament which Malawi will host during the forthcoming Fifa window between March 18 and 26 at Bingu National Stadium.
However, Bullets, Silver and Wanderers players have not reported for camp after their respective clubs refused to grant them permission to focus on pre-season preparations.
This could be a setback for Flames coach Patrick Mabedi, who named a 27-member squad ahead of the tournament.
In his 27-member squad, Mabedi included nine Bullets players, notably goalkeepers Innocent Nyasulu, Austin Chirambo, defenders Yamikani Mologoni, Blessings Mpokera, midfielders Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Lloyd Aaron, Yankho Singo and striker Ephraim Kondowe.
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Wanderers have contributed defenders Stanley Sanudi, Chimwemwe Nkhoma, Lawrence Chaziya, midfielders Francisco Madinga, Wisdom Mpinganjira, strikers Christopher Kumwembe and Clement Nyondo whereas Silver have supplied goalkeeper George Chikooka, defender Nickson Mwase, midfielders Chimwemwe Idana and Patrick Macheso.
This means, in the first week, Mabedi has seven players during the first week of training.
Mabedi was not readily available for his comment yesterday.
However, Technical Support Manager James Sangala downplayed the absence of the 20 players from the first week of training camp.
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“We expect to have the players next week as we agreed with the teams,” Sangala said.
The clubs are at liberty not to release players outside the Fifa international window.
Fifa rules state that players can be released four days before a tournament.
Friendlies are considered less important and clubs can release players 48 hours before a match.
On his part, Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba said the players would report for Flames camp next week.
“We have a new technical panel and new players and, as such, they need more time to gel. But in the best interest of the nation, we are going to release the players next week,” Chimimba said.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said their players will be released after the weekend’s friendlies.
“We are mainly in Mponela for pre-season preparations. The friendlies came after our plan was already in place. Since we hired Champion Stadium, the owners seized the opportunity for us to play some friendlies as their fundraising initiative,” Chigoga said.
The Flames will host a 4-Nations tournament which involves Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Apart from the men’s senior tournament, there will be a tournament for Under-20 national teams.
