Marinica rings changes to Flames’ CHAN squad to face Mambas
Malawi’s Flames coach Mario Marinica has rung the changes to his provisional 28-member party for the 2023 African Nations Championship (CHAN) second round, first leg qualifier against Mozambique.
The former Black Leopards coach has axed second-choice goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe from the squad. The keeper’s exclusion comes as no surprise as his blunders led to the 2-1 loss to Lesotho in a group stage match of the Cosafa Cup in South Africa last month.
The Romanian has, instead, drafted in the squad Kamuzu Barracks reserve team keeper Joshua Woka and Waka Waka Tigers’ Dalitso Khunga, Clever Nkungula of Nyasa Big Bullets to compete with first-choice keeper Charles Thom of Silver Strikers.
Thom has returned to the team after missing the Cosafa Cup games due to an injury.
Wingback Gomezgani Chirwa is also back after not being involved in the regional cup games following the loss of his passport while checking in South Africa.
The Bullets defender eventually rejoined the Flames in Durban after sourcing another travel document back home but it was late for him to feature at the regional tournament.
The ex-Azam FC mentor has also summoned for camp training first-choice right-back Stanley Sanudi of Mukuru Wanderers, Bullets midfielder Chimwemwe Idana and Silver Strikers forward Stein Davie.
Marinica has also roped in other new faces such as Dedza Dynamos midfielder Charles Chipala, striker Promise Kamwendo and Bullets forward Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Wanderers’ winger Isaac Kaliati has also sneaked his way back into the Flames squad after five years on the sidelines.
The Flames will start camp training on Sunday ahead of the first leg to be followed by the reverse fixture in Maputo a week later. The overall winner of the two legs will qualify for the CHAN finals in Algeria.
Malawi are bidding for their first-ever CHAN final slot and find themselves in the second and final qualifying round after sailing past the first round without kicking the ball as their opponents Zimbabwe remain suspended by Fifa.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Charles Thom (Silver Strikers), Clever Nkungula (Nyasa Big Bullets), Dalitso Khungwa (Waka Waka Tigers), Joshua Woka- (KB Reserve)
Defenders: Stanley Sanudi (Mighty Wanderers), Alick Lungu, Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani, Blessings Mpokera (Bullets), Daniel Chimbalanga, Paul Ndlobvu (Mafco), Kelvin Kadzinje (Civil), Herbert Wayekha (Kamuzu Barracks), Nickson Mwase (Silver Strikers).
Midfielders: Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions), Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu (Bullets), Isaac Kaliati (Wanderers), Patrick Banda (Kamuzu Barracks), Charles Chipala (Dedza Dynamos), Loyd Njaliwa (Moyale)
Attackers: Chiukepo Msowoya (Mighty Wanderers), Gadi Chirwa (Blue Eagles), Promise Kamwendo (Dedza Dynamos), Raphael Phiri (Moyale Barracks FC), Lanjesi Nkhoma (Bullets), Stenie Davie (Silver).
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