Yamikani Chester called back

BY RONALD MPASO:

Flames Coach, Ronny van Geneugden, has once again recalled Be Forward Wanderers man-of-the-moment Yamikani Chester and goalkeeper Nenani Juwaya to join camp training for Saturday’s match against Morocco.

The Wanderers winger, Chester, was not in the travelling squad which van Geneugden released on Friday ahead of the trip to Casablanca for the Group B qualifying match of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Two weeks ago, the Flames coach also left out Chester from the provisional squad of home-based players, only to summon him.

Chester was a major doubt for the team after sustaining an injury during last week’s training but he made a surprise appearance for Wanderers against bitter rivals Nyasa Big Bullets last Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, where he was named man-of-the-match.

Flames Team Manager, James Sangala, said the slippery midfielder’s injury was not that serious and that the coach had put him on standby for inclusion in the squad.

“Chester had indeed sustained an injury but the matter was blown out of proportion. The injury was not that serious. It only needed him to take a rest. That is why you saw him in action during the Blantyre derby,” Sangala said.

Chester confirmed that he was advised to rest for two days and make himself available for the derby.

Captain Limbikani Mzava, Peter Banda, Precious Sambani, Frank Banda, John Banda and Charles Swini are some of the players who had not yet reported by yesterday morning when training commenced at Kamuzu Stadium.

Sangala said Juwaya was called up to replace Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda who fell sick while in the Flames camp on Sunday evening.

“The coach’s door is wide open for any player to join the team. So, do not be surprised to see players coming in at short notice. As for the remaining foreign-based players, we are expecting them between today [Monday] and tomorrow [Tuesday],” he said.

The Flames were boosted by the return of dead-ball specialist Gerald Phiri Junior who arrived on Sunday afternoon alongside strikers Gabadinho Mhango and Richard Mbulu.

The team leaves for Morocco tomorrow and will also play a friendly on September 11 against Kenya.