Good to roll

After being treated to a local cuisine at State House in Lilongwe on Thursday, it’s time to get started for the teams taking part in the Four Nations Tournament this afternoon at Bingu National Stadium.

The menu was all about football from the kick-off cream of chicken soup starter to the hat-trick char grilled chicken breast in the main course and now the party switches to the pitch.

Setting the tone will be Zambia’s Chipolopolo and Zimbabwe’s Warriors who will be renewing their age-old Zambezi derby rivarly from 2pm before hosts Flames and the Harambee Stars of Kenya face off three hours later.

The winners clash in the final on Tuesday while the losers will battle for third place.

What is coming out clearly from all coaches is that they are on a double mission to lead their respective squads to glory and tune up for the next 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

The Flames were an oasis of calm as they worked on the final touches yesterday morning.

Coach Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi reiterated that the tournament gives him a chance to assess new players, including England-based duo of defender Jubril Okedina, who plays for third-tier league side Cambridge United and midfielder Takondwa Maosa of  the regional league outfit Brentwood Town FC.

Also under assessment is US-based Butler University forward Henri Kumwenda who is making a return after failing to make the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals’ squad.

Apart from the trio, Mabedi has seven other uncapped players in his 32-member squad, namely, George Chikooka, Alex Kambirinya, McDonald Lameck, Joseph Balakasi, Wongani Lungu and Ephraim Kondowe.

Also returning to the squad is South Africa-based Moroka Swallows striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango.

Other foreign-based players include captain John ‘CJ’ Banda and Lloyd Nyaliwa who ply their trade in Mozambique and Zambia-based trio of strikers Chawanangwa  Kaonga, Chifundo Mphasi and Robert Saizi.

Others are goalkeeper Brightone Munthali, who turns out for South African second-tier league side Black Leopards and Iraq-based defender Dennis Chembezi.

In a pre-match interview, Mabedi said he was happy with the preparations.

He said: “Players are looking sharp and looking forward to the tournament.

“The priority is to assess the new players because we already have a team, but it is still under construction. So, we have to see if they can fit in. It is important to try different combinations.”

On how the new players are coping, the Flames gaffer said: “They are gelling in well. It is amazing because it’s like they joined us long time ago.”

On the other hand, Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat said he wants to try some new faces and options.

He said: “Now, it is up to the new players to seize the moment and prove that they deserve to be in the team.

“This tournament is also the last build-up for the World Cup qualifiers in June, so it gives us a chance to see where we stand.”

Firat has included nine overseas-based players, including French Ligue 1 star Joseph Okumu.

Meanwhile, Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant said the tournament is more about assessing the team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

He said: “To be honest, this tournament is not our target, but we want to win every game and create the winning mentality.

“So, [in essence] yes, we also want to win the tournament.”

 On his part, Warriors interim coach Norman Mapeza was quoted by Zimbabwean daily newspaper  News Day as having said that he is looking forward to assess the UK-based quartet of Joey Phuti, who turns out for Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City’s Tawanda Maswanhise.

Other players under his watch will be Shane Maroodza of Huddersfield Town and Brentford B side goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva, who are all hoping to make their debuts for the Warriors.

Said the Warriors legend: “First of all, we need to win our games and secondly, it has much to do with the assessment of these guys who have not been here before. So there are clear objectives here.

“I am more than happy everybody is here now.”