Blantyre, Malawi, 02 September: Malawi national soccer coach, Ernest Mtawali has included blossoming striker, Frank Gabadihnio Mhango and goal-custodian Simplex Nthala in a 20-man squad that will play Tanzania in a 2018 World Cup preliminary round qualifier.
Mhango who stars for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Bloemfontein Celtic has just returned from lengthy lay off due to knee injury.
He has replaced Big Bullets goal poacher Chiukepo Msowoya who is currently nursing a hamstring injury and will be out of action for several weeks according to recent media reports.
Mhango who stars for South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Bloemfontein Celtic has just returned from lengthy lay off due to knee injury.
He has replaced Big Bullets goal poacher Chiukepo Msowoya who is currently nursing a hamstring injury and will be out of action for several weeks according to recent media reports.
Nthala who is a goalkeeper for Macambola League side Maxaquene is serving a yearlong ban which was handed down by Mozambique FA recently for allegedly assaulting the referee during a local league game.
Addressing journalists at Chiwembe Technical Centre, in Blantyre, Mtawali defended the inclusion of Nthala into the team who has replaced Mighty Beforeward, custodian Richard Chipuwa arguing he had performed well during the training.
“Simplex had done well in training and he deserves inclusion into the team,” said Mtawali.
He also defended the inclusion of many young inexperienced players who have dominated the bulk of the Flames squad that is travelling to Tanzania, saying he is building a team for the future.
“We are not only looking at the Tanzanian game but building a future national team that is why I have included upcoming players. We need such players to take over from the senior players,” he explained.
Chipuwa was blamed for conceding two silly goals in Africa Cup of Nations Group I qualifier between Malawi and Swaziland which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The game against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars will be played on 7 October at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar- es-salaam.
Addressing journalists at Chiwembe Technical Centre, in Blantyre, Mtawali defended the inclusion of Nthala into the team who has replaced Mighty Beforeward, custodian Richard Chipuwa arguing he had performed well during the training.
“Simplex had done well in training and he deserves inclusion into the team,” said Mtawali.
He also defended the inclusion of many young inexperienced players who have dominated the bulk of the Flames squad that is travelling to Tanzania, saying he is building a team for the future.
“We are not only looking at the Tanzanian game but building a future national team that is why I have included upcoming players. We need such players to take over from the senior players,” he explained.
Chipuwa was blamed for conceding two silly goals in Africa Cup of Nations Group I qualifier between Malawi and Swaziland which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The game against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars will be played on 7 October at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar- es-salaam.
By: Joel Chirwa
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