Saintfiet unveils ‘surprise’ squad today

Flames interim coach Tom Saintfiet has promised surprises when he unveils his 20-member Rwanda-bound team today (Tuesday) for the August 14 warm-up match.

“There will be some surprises, yes. Some players will be out. Even when I am satisfied with how they did in the Cosafa Cup, I only have 20 players to pick,” said the Belgian who is sharpening up for the 2014 World Cup African qualifier in Nigeria on the weekend of September 6.

The coach, who last month warned that the axe would fall on some players for their below-par Cosafa showing, fell short of disclosing the casualties.

“This will be my last chance to see some of the players. There will be many South Africa-based and Mozambique-based players and a few from the local league,” insisted Saintfiet who is aiming at upsetting reigning Africa champions Nigeria and squeeze through to the final qualifying phase.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Monday hinted that the coach was likely to unveil the squad this morning at the Chiwembe Technical Centre.

However, The Nation can hint on some of the players likely to earn their place back in the Flames.

On their website, South Africa’s Golden Arrows have congratulated Peter Wadabwa for being recalled into the Flames squad.

Captain Joseph Kamwendo, Simplex Nthala and Moses Chavula were the Mozambique-based players in the Flames’ Cosafa squad in Zambia.

Gabadinho Mhango of Big Bullets was unavailable during the Cosafa Cup and is expected back. The Flames’ starting XI had Dave Banda, John Banda and Charles Swini as the only locals in the last World Cup qualifying match against Kenya.

Malawi trails Nigeria by two points.