Malawi National Football Team captain John ‘CJ’ Banda is expected to undergo medical assessment at his Mozambique club UD Songo after sustaining an injury while on national duty.
Banda was substituted in the second half of the Group H 2026 World Cup qualifier against Tunisia at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Tuesday, when the Flames lost 1-0.
Speaking in an interview Thursday, the former defunct Eagle Beaks and Blue Eagles attacking midfielder said he was expected to join his teammates in Beira.
“I expect to link up with my colleagues ahead of the Tusker Challenge Cup final on Sunday. During the match on Tuesday, I was experiencing some muscular pain, especially in the second half. But now I am feeling better after returning on Wednesday. I expect to join my colleagues in Beira and undergo a medical assessment upon arrival.
“The team doctors are the ones to decide whether I will be available for the cup final or not. But personally, I am doing fine and looking forward to the assessment. We will see what the next step will be after the assessment but I remain hopeful about my fitness,” he said.
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The 30-year-old midfielder missed Songo’s 2-1 semifinal victory over AD Vilankulo on Wednesday as he left the country for Mozambique on the same day.
Songo will meet the winner between Bia de Pemba FC and Associacao Black Bulls, who clashed in the second semifinal yesterday.
