The Flames coach names team for Stars showdown

Malawi national team head coach Young Chimodzi has unveiled a 18-member squad for Sunday’s friendly match against Taifa Stars at CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza.

His squad, which included eight players who play professional soccer in various countries across the continent, is a blend of new faces and old guards.

The players and teams they feature for in bracket are Limbikani Mzava (Celtic, South Africa), Harry Nyirenda (Black Leopards, South Africa), Esau Kanyenda (Polokwane City, South Africa) and Atusaye Nyondo (University of Pretoria, South Africa).

Others are team skipper Joseph Kamwendo (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Frank Banda (HBC Songo, Mozambique), Chimango Kayira (Costal De Sol, Mozambique) and Gerald Phiri (Caps United, Zimbabwe).

The Flames, as the Malawi team is popularly known, will fly into the country on Friday, according to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) information officer, Baraka Kizuguto.

Kizuguto said yesterday that the preparations and logistics for the match were on couse.

Meanwhile, Taifa Stars head coach Mart Nooij must be rubbing his hands with glee with news that TP Mazembe attacking duo of Mbwana Samata and Thomas Ulimwengu will be available for Sunday’s match against Malawi.

Saamata and Ulimwengu, who are among strikers DR Congo’s TP Mazembe bank on for goals in domestic and international club competitions, were expected in the country last night ahead of the friendly match to be held at CCM Kirumba in Mwanza.

For the Stars, who left for Mwanza yesterday, the high-profile friendly match will part of their preparations ahead of this year’s COSAFA tournament in South Africa.

“This match against Malawi will provide us an opportunity to get together as we continue to fine-tune ahead of the forthcoming assignments,” coach Nooij said yesterday.

This will be third time for Taifa Stars face the Malawi Flames in friendly matches.

Already Nooij has named a 27-man squad ahead of the Mwanza game.

Besides Saamata and Ulimwengu, also in the squad are Mwinyi Kazimoto and Juma Luizio who feature for Al Markhiry in Qatar and Zesco United of Zambia respectively.

Home-based players in Nooij’s team are goalkeepers Aishi Manula and Mwadini Ali, defenders Shomari Kapombe, Erasto Nyoni and Aggrey Morris. Midfielders are Frank Domayo, Salum Abubakar and Amri Kiemba.

The list also has striker John Bocco, goalkeeper Deogratius Munishi, Oscar Joshua, Kelvin Yondani, Nadir Haroub, Hassan Dilunga, Simon Msuva, Mrisho Ngasa, Abdi Banda, Hassan Isihaka, Said Ndemla, Mwinyi Haji, Haroun Chanongo and Salim Mbonde.