Mwase to ring changes
Flames coach Meke Mwase has hinted at ringing some changes to the squad to give it some depth ahead of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against South Sudan on November 11.
Malawi will host South Sudan’s Bright Stars at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while the return leg is scheduled for Kampala in Uganda nine days later.
“Considering that some players are injured and what we observed in recent matches, including the Botswana and the Lesotho friendly, we will indeed make some changes to the squad,” he said.
The coach said that the technical panel had also discussed the possibility of recalling wayward striker KhudaMuyaba.
“We had a discussion on Khuda. But let’s wait until Friday [tomorrow] when the secretariat will announce the official squad as per procedure,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mwase has been advised to cast net wider in his squad selection for the Afcon qualifiers.
Malawi will start camp this Saturday and soccer analyst George Chiusiwa has advised Mwase to make some drastic decisions if the Flames are to leave a mark in the qualifiers.
The analyst noted that lack of depth in the squad was the main setback for Mwase in the upcoming Afcon and 2022 World Cup campaign.
“The current squad isn’t deep enough; we are still wanting in certain areas like the goalkeeping and striking departments. It’s important for the coach not to sit on his laurels thinking he has found a complete team.
“He should keep hunting for more good players to enhance competition in the team and this is what brings about a deep squad. Malawi can go a mile further in Group B of the 2021 Afcon campaign, but it won’t be easy,” he said.
In goalkeeping, Chiusiwa said the Flames have put themselves in a tricky situation by relying solely on Brighton Munthali and Ernest Kakhobwe.
“This scenario of relying on Brighton and Ernest only isn’t healthy. We need to quickly start exposing the likes of RabsonChiyenda, William Thole, NenaniJuwaya, Charles Thom for bigger Flames action.
“How I wish either Chiyenda or Thole was used in the recent Lesotho friendly. We need to have three reliable goalkeepers. Thus, playing away would mean taking three of them because anything can happen in terms of sudden illness or injuries during training,” he said.
Apart from the goalkeeping, Chiusiwa felt Malawi’s lack of depth is also exposed upfront where Mwase has relied mainly on Richard Mbulu and Frank GabadinhoMhango with Hassan Kajoke coming in as a substitute.
“Mbulu is the only reliable man in from upfront. Gaba seems to be in his own world… He can’t even fight like we used to know him. Gaba should feel the pinch of fighting for a first team place with other strikers such as Kajoke,” he said.
