8 foreign-based players in Flames squad
Flames coach Meck Mwase has included eight foreign-based players in his 23-member squad which leaves for Burkina Faso today for Thursday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) qualifier against the Stallions.
The eight are South Africa-based quartet Limbikani Mzava, Richard Mbulu, Gerald Phiri Jnr and Dennis Chembezi. The list also includes Charles Petro who is based in Moldova, Mozambique-based duo of John ‘CJ’ Banda and Schumacher Kuwali and Yamikani Chester, who plies his trade in the US.
Mzava, who will be making a return to national duty after two years, is set to join the squad in Johannesburg, South Africa later today alongside Mbulu, Phiri and Chembezi while Petro will join the team tonight in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where they will spend a night before connecting to Burkina Faso tomorrow morning.
The squad also includes one uncapped player in Be Forward Wanderers forward Vincent Nyangulu.
Mwase yesterday said they have done a thorough research on their opponents.
He said: “We have done our homework on them and we have established that their strength lies in attacking from the flanks in which they have speedy wingers.
“They pack the central midfield with at least three players and just like us, they usually use one striker. So, we have been working on how to diffuse that.”
The Flames gaffer also hinted at playing a more defensive game.
“Obviously, playing away, we will have to be cautious and attack them on the break.”
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso coach Kamou Malo has also released his 26-member squad for the double header which includes 15 overseas-based players.
The Burkina Faso squad has included four local-based players.
The notable overseas-based players include Tapsoba Edmond (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Kaboré Charles (Dinamo Moscow, Russia), Bayala Cyrille (Lens, France), Traoré Abdou Razak (Giresunspor, Turkey), Bandaogo Abdou (Betis, Spain), Traoré Franck (Ajax, Netherlands), Konaté Mohamed (FK Khimki, Russia), Traoré Bertrand (Aston Villa, England), Diarassouba Salifou (ST Gallen, Switzerland), Dabo Bryan (Benevento, Italy) and Kaboré Issa (KV Malines , Belgium).
Following is the full Flames squad: Brightone Munthali, Ernest Kakhobwe, William Thole, Mzava, Chembezi, Petro, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Precious Sambani, Nixon Nyasulu, Chikoti Chirwa, Rafick Namwera, Chimwemwe Idana, Peter Banda, Meciam Mhone, Duncan Nyoni, CJ Banda, Phiri, Chester, Kuwali, Mbulu, Nyangulu and Hassan Kajoke.
