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FAM clarifies on Flames’ Cosafa squad

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) yesterday clarified that the Flames squad that has been released by the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) is just provisional.
Cosafa, through its website at the weekend, released a 20-member Flames squad that includes seven foreign-based players.
“Malawi have picked a strong squad selection for the Cosafa Cup 2015, showing their intention of going all the way in this year’s Southern African championship,” reads part of a story carried on the Cosafa website.
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However, FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda clarified that the list that was sent to Cosafa is just interim as the actual squad for the regional showpiece will only be known after Sunday’s international friendly match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.
“Of course, the impression is that it is the final squad, but what we gave them was just a provisional list,” said Nyirenda.
The foreign-based players who appear on the provisional list are goalkeeper Charles Swini, defenders Limbikani Mzava and Harry Nyirenda, and strikers Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango, Robin Ngalande, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Zicco Mkanda.
Nyirenda said some of the foreign-based players who do not appear on the provisional list might make the final squad.
Among the exciting young talents included in the squad is 17-year-old Surestream FC midfielder Ernest Tambe.
The Flames will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage against Mozambique on May 24.
Malawi have twice appeared in the Cosafa Cup final, but lost on both occasions—to South Africa in 2002 and Zimbabwe in 2003. They also finished third in 2001.
The full provisional squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: McDonald Harawa, Richard Chipuwa and Swini; Defenders: Francis Mlimbika, Mzava, Bashir Maunde, Nyirenda, John Lanjesi and Lucky Malata; Midfielders: Fischer Kondowe, Tambe, Chikoti Chirwa, John Banda, Dalitso Sailesi and Micium Mhone; Strikers: Mkanda, Peter Wadabwa, Phiri, Mhango and Ngalande.

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