The Malawi National Football team has today left for Mozambique ahead of next week’s 2023 AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia.
The Flames are expected to play a strength-testing match against Mozambique on Wednesday before the Ethiopia encounter.
Caretaker Coach Patrick Mabedi on Monday morning named a 24-member squad ahead of the two matches.
A number of players who earned their maiden call up when the local-based players started camping four weeks ago have made it into the final squad.
Civil Service United’s Lloyd Aaron, Bangwe All Stars’ Chikumbutso Salima and Robert Saizi as we as Zambia-based Chifundo Mphasi have made it to the final squad.
Speaking when he addressed the media press on Monday morning, Mabedi said he has selected the players on merit looking at their club performances as well as their response to the training sessions during the team’s camping.
“We were training two and half days Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday morning and we looked at their performance both during training and in their club assignments. We have been following up on all the players including those playing outside Malawi and their respective performances is what has earned them this call up.
“As technical panel, we are looking at the future and that’s why we have included younger players in the squad and we also want to prepare them for tournament like Cosafa which mostly does not include foreign based players,” said Mabedi.
The Flames are third placed in Group D with three points while Egypt and Guinea are first and second respectively with nine points each. Ethiopia are fourth with three points.
Below is the full list of players travelling to Mozambique:
Goalkeepers: Brighton Munthali and Innocent Nyasulu
Defenders: Alick Lungu, Daniel Chimbalanga, Blessings Mpokera, Dennis Chembezi, Lawrence Chaziya, Nickson Mwase and Stanley Sanudi.
Midfielders: Chikoti Chirwa, Chimwemwe Idana, John Banda, Lloyd Njaliwa, Lloyd Aaron, Patrick Macheso, Chikumbutso Salima, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Peter Banda, Robert Saizi and Yamikani Chester.
Strikers: Chawanangwa Kaonga, Chifundo Mphasi, Gaddie Chirwa and Richard Mbulu.
