AFRICAN SPORTS MONTHLY
'Sports is our Business'
  • Home
  • NEWS
  • Radio
  • TV

South Africa's Celtic to Release Malawi Players for Benin Game

7/26/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Blantyre, Malawi, July 25: South Africa’s Bloemfontein Celtic has agreed to release two Malawi national team players it blocked from playing in the second preliminary round first leg match qualifiers of 2015 Africa Nations Cup against Benin last Saturday.

The decision to release defender, Limbikani Mzava and the team’s talismanic striker, Frank Gabadhinho Mhango followed Thursday talks between Malawi FA Chief Executive Officer, Suzgo Nyirenda and senior Celtic officials.

Mzava and Mhango were barred by their club Celtic as it  was involved in a Charity Shield tournament on the day Malawi national team  faced Benin on the grounds that the game was not on FIFA calendar.

Malawi went down to Benin  1-0 in the first leg match of Morocco 2015 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round qualifier played in Cotonou following  a 19th minute strike by Benin and West Bromwich Albion striker, Stephane Sessegnon.

Meanwhile, the Flames assistant coach, Jack Chamangwana has expressed confidence that his charges will turn the tables when the two sides meet in return leg in Blantyre on 2nd August and sail through to the next round.

 “The chances of beating Benin are there and the way the boys played [away] it gives us encouragement that they will definitely do well,” said Chimangwana.

During the first leg encounter the Flames used defensive oriented system of 5-4-1 which many say was designed to avoid conceding many goals  as the team has poor track record when it plays away games.

But Chamangwana put a positive gloss to the strategy. He said during the return leg his side will adopt an offensive tactic and will aim at striking early to unsettle the opponents.

The early goal he said will give his side momentum to then completely kill the game off beyond the opponents reach.

“What we need is to get a goal especially in the first half. When we score early it will give us confidence of scoring the next goal.

 If we do not score early we will give them time and advantage to [settle down then] to qualify to the next round,” he explained in a radio interview aired on state owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Friday.

However, he was quick to add that his side will strive to be cautious to avoid creating holes in its rearguard.

“So our tactic is to strike early, if we can do it or if we do not, keep the patience of doing it. Because if we rush again we will be opening our back and they might take advantage of the gaps at the back,” he warned.

He further disclosed that the Flames technical team is also considering calling up midfield workhorse, Robert Ng’ambi, following the unavailability of Frank Banda.

Banda will be serving suspension after picking a second bookable offense in the first leg encounter against Benin.

Ng’ambi is reportedly to have started featuring for his South Africa Premier Soccer League Side (PSL) side Platinum Stars and was on field of play last Saturday during which he made a 45 minutes appearance.

“We are hoping the likes of Robert Ng’ambi will be coming back. I heard he played for his club for 45 minutes last weekend. We hope he will play a full game this week.

Match fitness will be important for him. But we don’t want to rush him. But if we can give him[at least] 30 minutes  that will be good for us because what we need is his experience,” he explained.  

Ng’ambi has been on the lay off for several weeks following an ankle injury he sustained while playing for his club towards the end of last season.
By: Joel Chirwa
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Menu

    All
    2014 FIFA World Cup
    Athletics
    Basketball
    Boxing
    Commonwealth Games
    Cricket
    Golf
    Hockey
    Marathons
    News
    Olympics
    Rugby
    Soccer
    Spotlight
    Tennis
    Track And Field
    Volleyball
    Women Soccer
    Wrestling


    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Tweets by ASMONTHLY

Tweet to @ASMONTHLY

Contact Us

    Contact Us

Submit

Donate & Support Our Efforts at African Sports Media Network