The Senior Malawi National Football Team, commonly known as the Flames, on Monday left for Ouagadougou, for the first leg encounter of Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Burkina Faso’s the Stallions.
The match is going to take place this Thursday before the two teams meet again four days later at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Minister of Sports Ulemu Msungama and director of sports in the Ministry, Jameson Ndalama, have also accompanied the 23-man squad which Flames coach Meck Mwase released on Sunday night. Mwase has named 8 foreign-based players and 15 locals ahead of the Thursday game.
According to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) director of media and competitions, Gomezgani Zakazaka, three foreign-based players John Banda and Schumacher Kuwali, who play in Mozambique, and USA-based Yamikani Chester joined the Flames camp last week while four South African-based players will join the team in Johannesburg enroute to Burkina Faso. Modolva-based Charles Petro will join the team in Ethiopia later in the evening.
Striker Gabadinho Mhango has been ruled out due to an injury he sustained during club committments at Orlando Pirates.
The full squad is as follows: Goalkeepers – Brighton Munthali, William Thole and Ernest Kakhobwe. Defenders – Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Precious Sambani, Nixon Nyasulu, Limbikani Mzava, Dennis Chembezi and Charles Petro. Midifielders – Chikoti Chirwa, Rafik Namwera, Duncan Nyoni, Peter Banda, Chimwemwe Idana, Micum Mhone, John Banda, Yamikani Chester and Gerald Phiri Junior. The strikers are Vincent Nyangulu, Hassan Kajoke, Schumacher Kuwali and Richard Mbulu.
