CJ Banda to retire after Afcon

 Flames captain John CJ Banda has hinted at retiring from the Malawi National Football Team after the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The UD Songo midfielder said in an interview on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Flames preparations for today’s Afcon qualifier against Burundi, that he is considering quitting the Flames to give a chance to up-and-coming players.

He said: “This will be my last Afcon campaign. I will be retiring from the Flames after this campaign. I have been here for long and I have been a good example for the young ones. I think when I retire I need to take the team to the Afcon finals as captain.”

Banda, 31, who had his Flames debut in 2011 and has 86 caps, said it is time to give a chance to up and coming players.

He said: “As you know that we won’t be here for long. So, as we are going towards the end of our careers, we need to put everything in place.

“We have been there at the Afcon finals, we give them examples. We are good examples to them so that they have to work hard. As a team we have to qualify, so that they have to reap the benefits of qualifying for Afcon finals.”

However, the midfielder’s announcement comes after criticism that he is past his prime.

In reaction to this, Banda said emerging players need guidance from the experienced players.

He said: “Everyone has his or her own opinion. They can say whatever they want. I am just a football player. The coach is the one who picks players. So, the onus is on the coach to pick the players for the national team.

“So, for me to be here, it means that the coach is still seeing something in me. The Flames coaches who have been there and the current coach Mr Mabedi, has been calling me. I play my football outside in Mozambique. If people are saying I have passed my prime, the team that I’m playing for in Mozambique, could not have signed me.

“May be I cannot play the way other people want me to play, but I think I have something to offer for these young ones as I have already said, that I will not be here for long maybe this may be my last year playing for the national team, so before I go I just need to leave my legacy.”

Football analyst Patrick Zgambo applauded the midfielder for being exemplary on the field as leader for the Flames.

“I have something to say about John Banda: Respect.”

Banda ascended to the Flames captaincy three years ago after the exit of former captain Limbikani Mzava.