Flames, Warriors rivalry back
The rivalry between Malawi and Zimbabwe national football teams, which dates back to three decades, returns in Blantyre this Saturday afternoon as they clash in a friendly encounter at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Both sides are on rebuilding exercise and will use the match to measure their strengths in preparation for international competitions scheduled for June and July.
The Flames are preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Namibia on June 5 and Kenya on June 12 while the Warriors are shaping up for the Cosafa and Chan games.
Zimbabwe’s squad comprises players who play in the local league only and some local critics have questioned Flames’ technical panel on the logic of playing such a weak team.
On the Fifa rankings Zimbabwe is number 105, four ladders higher than Malawi.
However, in an interview on Thursday, Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo insisted that although they have brought a weaker team, the Warriors have technical capability to test Flames’ strength.
“Zimbabwe are better than us on Fifa rankings and have a young ambitious team that has done fairly well despite missing out by a whisker in the World Cup qualifiers. We also have a young team that we are just building. They are a fair opponent,” said Ng’onamo.
He has, however, assured local fans great performance from his charges.
“We will definitely carry the day. Not because Zimbabwe are weak, but because we have done our homework properly,” he said.
The Flames camp has been boosted by the arrival of professionals Esau Kanyenda, Robin Ngalande and Limbikani Mzava.
But as has been the case in the past, games the focus will be on rising star Gabadinho Mhango who on a good day could be a thorn the flesh for Warriors’ defence.
Warriors coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels has included in his squad in form FC Platinum midfield duo of Ali Sadiki and Charles Sibanda.
Sadiki is arguably FC Platinum’s best player this season and his exclusion from the squad in recent previous games was a surprise.
After missing the Zambia friendly last month, Ocean Mushure makes a comeback to the national team fold. Monomotapa midfielder Kuda Musharu and Chicken Inn’s Thabani Goredema have also been included in the squad.
Dropped from the squad that played against Zambia are full-backs Augustine Mbara and Nicholas Guyo, the FC Platinum pair of Kelvin Moyo and Nelson Mazivisa, Godfrey Moyo as well as Chicken Inn goalkeeper Liberty Chirava.
Ageing Chicken Inn defender Felix Chindungwe has retained his place together with striker Last Chibwiro who is struggling in front of goal at Black Mambas.
Meanwhile, Kenya FA official Hussein Terry confirmed to Goal on Tuesday that the Black Stars of Ghana, who were scheduled to camp in Nairobi ahead of the match, have written pointing out difficulties of raising a strong squad to take on Kenya.
“We have received a letter from Ghana FA informing us they cannot honour the match due to difficulties they are experiencing in raising a team. They remain doubtful, especially on the availability of some of their professional players,” Terry is quoted as saying.
He further revealed that Kenya FA has turned to Rwanda and Burundi for a friendly on June 1.
“We have talked to the two countries and are still working on the finer details to get one of them to play against Stars ahead of the match against Nigeria,” he said.
Harambee Stars coach, Adel Amrouche, was hoping to use the match against Ghana to prepare for the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on June 5.
Picture:
Flames in action
Caption:
Flames: Out to prove a point today
