Kafoteka, Fischer dropped

Malawi national football team (Flames) vice-captain Elvis Kafoteka and winger Fischer ‘Anong’a’ Kondowe have been dropped from the squad that is expected to depart for China on Sunday for the May 9 international friendly match against the Under-23 Chinese national side.

 

But coach Kinnah Phiri played down the exclusion of the two, saying his focus is more on up-and-coming players.

Midfielder Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo and striker Esau Kanyenda are the only seasoned players who have been included in the squad.

“Elvis [Kafoteka] and Fischer [Kondowe] have been dropped because the emphasis is on young players. We want to expose as many young players as we can,” said Kinnah.

Fischer last played for the Flames against Botswana in the 2010 during the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. His last call-up was last October when the Flames were preparing for the decisive qualifier against Chad.

But he failed to make the final squad while Kafoteka also missed the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations away qualifier against Chad in N’djamena.

While there is a general concern over the merit of the trip, Kinnah insists that the Flames stand to benefit from the match.