No time to waste

Malawi national football team coach Mario Marian Marinica has called 26 players to start pre-camp fitness sessions in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

The Romanian said the aim of the sessions is to help the players regain match fitness.

He said: “As you know, the 2022 season concluded on December 17 with Airtel Top 8 final as the last match. However, most of the players stopped playing way back in October. This is a major concern for us as well as the fitness of the international players.

“You have to bear in mind that science has proved that after 10 to 14 days of inactivity, players could reduce 10 to 15 percent of their strength. And also, one month of what we call de-training, lung capacity could be reduced by 20 to 25 percent. What is worse is that two to three weeks  after stopping training, players are losing match fitness.”

Marinica said the Flames cannot afford to be inactive as their opponents are gearing up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He said: “This exercise is very important because we are looking at our competitors. For example, Ethiopia are already in camp and they will have friendly matches; one on January 14, another one on January 17 and another on January 21. We cannot afford to slip behind.”

Blantyre squad has Mighty Mukuru Wanderers players Stanley Sanudi, Chiukepo Msowoya, Gaddie Chirwa, Muhammed Sulumba, Miracle Gabeya and Yamikani Chester and Nyasa Big Bullets players Clever Mkungula, Gomezgani Chirwa, Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu and Precious Sambani.

They will undergo the training under the supervision of Marinica, Flames assistant coach Patrick Mabedi, Under-17 fitness trainer Chimwemwe Nkhoma and Southern Region coach Patricio Kulemeka.        

Charles Thom, Nickson Mwase and Stenie Davie for Silver Strikers, Micium Mhone, Gilbert Chirwa, Schumacher Kuwali, Brighton Munthali (Blue Eagles), Kelvin Kadzinje (Civil Service) and unattached Lawrence Chaziya will undergo the exercise in Lilongwe under Flames fitness trainer Chikondi Mandalasi, Under-20 fitness trainer Andrew Mtalimanja and Central Region coach McWilliams Nkunika.

Paul Ndlovu (Mafco) will be training at his base Malawi Armed Forces College while Dan Chimbalanga (Mafco) will do it in Dedza.

Red Lions’ Chikoti Chirwa will undergo the fitness sessions at  his base Cobbe Barracks in Zomba while Moyale Barracks’ Lloyd Njaliwa         will do it at his base in Mzuzu under Flames assistant coach Victor Mphande, beach soccer fitness trainer Dexter Kili and Northern Region coach Robert Mziza.

Marinica has also  called Under-20 and Under-23 players Joshua Waka  Innocent Makawano, Festus  Duwe and Loyd Alone  from Lilongwe, Chawanangwa Gumbo from Blantyre and Chimwemwe Nkhoma from Mzuzu.

The tactician has also urged other coaches in the regions to be part of the exercise.

“Hopefully, they will be able to see what we are doing so that they will be able to learn and replicate at their clubs,” he said.

In a statement, FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda yesterday supported the coach’s fitness programme saying it will help in preparations for the forthcoming 2023 Afcon qualifiers.

“As the league is currently on recess, it is imperative that players are kept at the high international standards.

“Thus, FAM has come in to support the potential international local based players by organising fitness clinics,” he said.

The Flames, who are in the same group with Guinea, Egypt and Ethiopia, will go into full camp next month.

All the four teams in the group have three points each after the first and second match days of the qualifiers.