Flames target draw in yaounde

Flames coach Meck Mwase says earning a point against Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions away in Yaounde will be their realistic target when they meet in a 2022 World Cup qualifier this Friday.

The Flames are set to depart for Yaounde today through Addis Ababa in Ethiopia where they will spend a night before connecting to their destination tomorrow.

In an interview yesterday, Mwase said: “We have to be honest with ourselves. We are playing against continental giants at their backyard.

“It does not mean that we cannot cause an upset, but we need to be realistic with our expectations.

“If we get a point, it will be satisfactory and a win will be a bonus. But we are going there to fight because in football you never know what will happen.”

Meanwhile, the Flames have suffered a setback as Scotland-based left-back Kieran Ngwenya has been ruled out of the fixture.

This follows an announcement that under current UK government rules, players would be forced to miss several games because of the 10-day isolation period required on return to the UK.

Blue Eagles midfielder Mecium Mhone will also not make the team due to an injury.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the duo will not be replaced, but Silver Strikers defender Nixon Mwase—who tested positive for Covid-19—has been replaced by his namesake Nixon Nyasulu of Nyasa Big Bullets.

Zakazaka said the Flames, who will be led by FAM executive member Muhammad Selemani, are scheduled to arrive in Yaounde at noon Malawian time tomorrow.

“The rest of the foreign-based players have confirmed their availability and will team up with the rest of the squad in Addis on Tuesday,” he said.

The Flames will host Mozambique’s Mambas in their next qualifier in Johannesburg, South Africa on September 7. Their other group opponents are Ivory Coast’s Elephants.

Following is the list of players travelling to Cameroon: Goalkeepers: Brightone Munthali, Richard Chipuwa and Ernest Kakhobwe; Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Nyasulu, Limbikani Mzava, Dennis Chembezi, Charles Petro and Gomezgani Chirwa; Midfielders: Chikoti Chirwa, Peter Banda, Chimwemwe Idana, John Banda, Yamikani Chester, Gerald Phiri Jnr, Tawonga Chimodzi, Mike Mkwate and Francisco Madinga; Strikers: Vincent Nyangulu, Richard Mbulu, Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango and Khuda Muyaba.