Flames step up preps in SA today
The Flames flew out to South Africa on Sunday for camp training which is scheduled to start this morning in Mpumalanga Province in preparation for Sunday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifier against Swaziland’s Sihlangu this Sunday.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda on Sunday said the Flames arrived in Johannesburg at around 11am before connecting to Mpumalanga later in the afternoon.
“The main reason for camping in South Africa is that the weather conditions with Swaziland are similar. It was also ideal because instead of joining the squad here, the South Africa-based players will join the team right there,” said Nyirenda.
He also said some of the foreign-based players were expected to join the team yesterday while others will join today.
“I am just waiting for a call from the team manager [Clement Kafwafwa] to inform me how many players have joined them,” he said.
The Flames are scheduled to play a training match against National First Division (NFD) side Mbombela on Wednesday. However, coach Ernest Mtawali also said Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Jomo Cosmos has expressed interest to face the Flames in a training game.
Mtawali made a surprise decision by dropping almost nine senior members, including Joseph Kamwendo, Atusaye Nyondo, Esau Kanyenda, Harry Nyirenda, Fischer Kondowe, Zicco Mkanda and Frank Banda.
He has included five uncapped players, namely goalkeeper Brightone Munthali, defender Wonder Jelemani, midfielder Yamikani Chester, strikers Chawanangwa Kawonga and Manase Chiyesa.
