Kamwendo dropped Tawonga Chimodzi recalled

Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo has emerged the biggest omission from Flames coach Tom Saintfiet’s preliminary 23-member squad to face Nigeria in a 2014 World Cup qualifier next month.

Without mentioning the specific dropped players, Saintfiet confirmed in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the squad will further be narrowed to 20 after the September 3 friendly match in Botswana.

The players were selected based on recent performance for club and country, discipline on and off the pitch, ability to adapt to tactics needed to beat Nigeria, noted Saintfiet, adding: “So you can be good, but not fit in the tactics.”

“The players were selected and are selected by the technical panel with the end responsibility to me as head coach,” the Belgian said in response to an e-mail.

The Flames’ Cosafa Castle Cup showing was characterised by reports of indiscipline.

The Mozambique-based Kamwendo excused himself from the August 14 trip to Rwanda for a friendly due to work permit delays at his Liga Muculmana.

He had earlier reportedly told Saintfiet that he was unavailable due to family problems.

Kamwendo has since been replaced by Greece-based Tawonga Chimodzi who on Wednesday confirmed being contacted by FAM.

Chimodzi said he was eager to “continue doing good like before and also share what I have learnt recently for the benefit of the team.”

Also conspicuously missing are goalkeeper Simplex Nthala, Gastin Simkonda and Fischer Kondowe.

Saintfiet earlier indicated that some players excluded from the Rwanda trip would be reconsidered.

But Blue Eagles’ Phillip Masiye, John CJ Banda and Micium Mhone and South Africa-based Robert Ng’ambi have made it into the squad.

Mozambique-based Foster Namwela returns to the defence which remains largely unchanged from the squad that won 1-0 in Rwanda through a goal from South Africa-based striker Atusaye Nyondo who has also earned a place in the team.

Injury has meant that veteran Esau Kanyenda will not make the squad, but there is a place for Chiukepo Msowoya, Peter Wadabwa and Gabadinho Mhango. Gabadinho is currently in South Africa for possible transfer talks with Bloemfontein Celtic.

The Flames leave for Botswana on September 1 then for Calabar on September 4.

During the week, Nigeria released their main 18-member squad of foreign-based players. The Super Eagles lead the group on nine points and can qualify to the final qualifying round for a place at the World Cup with a draw whereas the Flames, on seven points, have a win as the only option.

Flames full squad: Owen Chaima, Charles Swini, James Sangala, Moses Chavula, Harry Nyirenda, John Langesi, Limbikani Mzava, George Nyirenda, Lucky Malata, Namwera, Chimango Kayira, N’gambi, Dave Banda, Chimodzi, Masiye, Mhone, Douglas Chirambo, Wadabwa, Msowoya, Robin Ngalande, Gabadinho, Nyondo, John C.J. Banda.