Cosafa opens window
It was not Cosafa Cup mission accomplished, but the Flames’ showing in the premier regional football event in South Africa could unlock windows of opportunities for some players.
Man-of-match awardees Micium Mhone of Blue Eagles and Gerald Phiri Junior of Caps United in Zimbabwe are, alongside Lucky Malata (Silver Strikers), Chimango Kayira (Costa do Sol, Mozambique), Yamikani Fodya (Big Bullets) and McDonald Harawa (Moyale Barracks), on the radar of teams, especially from South Africa.
Mpumalanga Black Aces technical advisor Jacob Sakala has become the first high profile official to confirm that he is assessing players who participated in the cup held in North West Province. Malawi won the Cosafa Plate trophy involving losing quarter-finalists.
He told The Nation on Sunday that he would come to Malawi next Saturday to further assess defender Malata and goalkeeper Harawa when the Flames host Zimbabwe’s Warriors during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Sakala said while they had signed right back Limbikani Mzava, they need “someone who is very comfortable to start play from the back. Lucky is doing well. I think he can stabilise the defence. Harawa also did well.”
Harawa picked himself up after last Monday’s heartbreaking 2-2 draw and 5-4 post-match penalty loss to Mozambique and kept a clean sheet against South Africa.
He, however, missed the plate final due to an illness.
Lilongwe football scout James Nelito Pondamale also claimed that Mozambican giants Costa do Sol have made enquiries on left back Fodya and Phiri.
“They are preparing to write the clubs as per what the president told me. Papa [Gerald Phiri] was a class to watch at 21 with all that confidence,” said Pondamale who also facilitated transfers of Kayira, Chiukepo Msowoya and Moses Chavula to Do Sol.
Costa do Sol’s midfielder Kayira confirmed that three PSL teams were monitoring him, but he will only start on their interest after the Zimbabwe assignment.
South Africa’s Soccer Laduma football magazine also indicated that three PSL teams were tracking Phiri, “and it will all depend on whether Caps United agree to release him for trials or they want a team that wants to sign him directly without trials.”
Gerald Phiri Senior has since urged his son to keep his feet on the ground and avoid being distracted by the interest in his services.
Free State Stars assistant coach Simba Sithole—assigned by head coach Kinnah Phiri— and Jomo Sono also frequented the Cosafa tournament. Kinnah, who is in hunt for a striker and attacker, is waiting for Sithole’s report.
