Chad vs Malawi (AFCON 2013 Qualifiers)

February 17th, 2012 | by: sscouser |

Video: The battle-ground in Chad.

Malawi National Team (Flames) local players are already in camp and will be joined by foreign based players en-route to Chad for the AFCON 2013 Qualifiers 1st leg against Chad on 29 February 2012. Apart from Joseph Kamwendo (back from trials in Thailand), the majority of local players already in camp are those that took part in the 2011 CECAFA Senior Challenge.

“I have decided to maintain the squad that I took to Tanzania. There is great potential in that team and if the players can stay together for some time and play a lot of international games, the future looks good. “ – Kinnah Phiri as quoted last month by Nation Sports.

Almost 100% of Malawi National Team regular players are foreign based and the coach has been under fire recently for picking some foreign based players who warm the bench(es) at their respective clubs. Malawi National Team Coach Kinnah Phiri is currently in South Africa and gave the South Africa based players two games to prove themselves.

Leagues in South Africa were on a 2 month break and just restarted Wednesday (15 February). On Wednesday, the coach wanted to monitor the following Malawi National Team regular players:

Captain Peter Mponda (Santos) – Did not play (not even on the bench)
Davie Banda (Black Leopards) – Did not play (not even on the bench)
Chiukepo Msowoya (Platinum Stars) – Did not play (on the bench)
Tawonga Chimodzi (Santos) – Only played 51 minutes
Moses Chavula (Amazulu) – played full 90 minutes
Robert Ng’ambi (Platinum Stars) – Got injured 8 minutes into the game

“My injury let my teammates down. I went out eight minutes into the second half as we were leading 2-0. I have to go for scanning, I hope I won’t be out for a long time,” Ng’ambi as quoted by Daily Times Sports.

Next league matches will be played this weekend. “I might be releasing the final squad to Chad on Monday. I need to assess all the players,” Kinnah said.

Striker Russell Mwafulirwa is back at Jomo Cosmos (South Africa) after a three-and-a-half-year spell at Swedish club IFK Norrkoping and is now waiting for the issuing of his permanent residence permit before he plays. How will Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri assess him?

Meanwhile the following regular players have already been ruled out:

Defender Elvis Kafoteka – Currently in Thailand for trials
Defender Harry Nyirenda – Injury
Striker Esau Kanyenda – On the verge of joining Kabuscorp FC (Angola) – Currently in South Africa for pre-season tour.

Should Malawi go local?

Daily Times Sports (31 January 2012):

Kinnah is this week expected to release names of the squad of the Chad game and on Monday he made it clear that there would be no place for inactive players in his squad.

“All the professional players who are not active will not be included in this squad. If a professional player is not active and is within the country, my advice is that they should contact us so that they can be included in the local players’ squad so that they might pick up on fitness,” he said.

“Most of them are just spending time travelling searching for clubs. I was just discussing this with my assistant Young (Chimodzi) and we have decided that they should not be included in the squad.

“We will concentrate on the local players only and very few professionals. The Super League has just concluded and these local players will only rest for a week, these are the ones that are fitter than the professionals.”

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Comments

By sscouser | February 17th, 2012 at 12:15 pm

In October 2008, Chelsea had a minimum of seven first-choice first team players out injured, leaving Luis Felipe Scolari without much choice on his team sheet, or so you would think. He was quick to point out however, that he had 24 talented players to choose from—so any problem was imagined.

This was in stark contrast to Jose Mourinho who, when faced with a similar “crisis”, came up with an exceptionally long winded analogy about eggs and omelettes:

“It’s all about omelettes and eggs. No eggs, no omelette. And it depends on the quality of the eggs. In the supermarket, you have eggs class one, class two, class three. Some are more expensive than others and some give you better omelettes. So when the class one eggs are in Waitrose and you cannot go there, you have a problem.”

What an eggsplanation.

Posted from United States

By Dennis Bandawe | February 18th, 2012 at 10:04 am

We have former Flames players in South Africa Mtawali, Mabedi, Maduka and others. These are the people who should monitor players in SA. Kinnah is only there to pocket allowances.

By Frank Mwengo | February 18th, 2012 at 6:44 pm

Zambia won the cup with domestic players. Malawi can also do it. We need to have more domestic players than foreign based players.

By sscouser | February 20th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

Dennis, I don’t think he is only there to pocket allowances. Again, at least 95% of Malawi National Team Players are based in South Africa.

Frank, of the 23 man Zambia squad, 8 are based in South Africa and 7 are based in Congo (all play for TP Mazambe). By “domestic”, do you mean “based in Africa”?

“Malawi National Team Coach Kinnah Phiri is currently in South Africa and gave the South Africa based players two games to prove themselves”

Daily Times Sport (20 February 2012):

The majority of the foreign legion were inactive last weekend.

According to South Africa online publications, some Flames key players were not involved during the games.

This comes as a setback for the Malawi national football team coach who wanted to name players after monitoring the professionals in two games. The Flames are preparing for 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad on February 29.

However, only striker Atusaye Nyondo of Supersport United, Amazulu’s left back Moses Chavula and Thanda Royal Zulu’s Peter Wadabwa were in action on Saturday.

Nyondo was replaced after 63 minutes by Sibusiso Zuma as his side went on to beat Golden Arrows 2-1.

Former Wanderers left back Chavula was on the losing side after Amazulu went down to Free State 2-1 while Peter Wadabwa scored a goal when Thanda Royal Zulu drew with Vasco Da Gama one-all.

However, there was no place for Flames duo captain Peter Mponda and midfielder Taonga Chimodzi who missed Santos’ 3-1 win over Bidvets Wits.

Kinnah said he was still in dark over Mponda’s fitness level.

“I have been trying to get in touch with him but I have failed. In the meantime I am looking for his medical report. I am also waiting for a report from Black Leopards so that I should decide on whether to include Robert Ng’ambi who was injured midweek,” he said.

Kinnah hinted that the likes of Chiukepo Msowoya, who has been loaned out to Platinum Stars, might be given a benefit of doubt.

“We just can’t dump any player. Some of the professionals will be considered because of their past exploits,” he said.

Posted from United States

By sscouser | February 22nd, 2012 at 10:08 am

“I might be releasing the final squad to Chad on Monday [20 Feb]” – Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri

Final squad not released yet but he has named 10 foreign based players. They will fly from where they are based directly to Chad.

The 10 foreign based players are:

Goalkeeper
1. Simplex Nthala (Mozambique)

Defenders
2. James Sangala (Angola)
3. Moses Chavula (South Africa)
4. Limbikani Mzava (South Africa)

Midfielders
5. Davie Banda (South Africa)
6. Peter Wadabwa (South Africa)
7. Tawonga Chimodzi (South Africa)

Strikers
8. Atusaye Nyondo (South Africa)
9. Chiukepo Msowoya (South Africa)
10. Robin Ngalande (Spain)

The 9 local players will be named this Friday. I think the 9 local players will include at least one goalkeeper (Charles Swini, McDonald Harawa, Amadu Ali), two or three defenders (Pilirani Zonda, Pilirani Makupe, …), at least 3 or 4 midfielders (Joseph Kamwendo, Frank Banda, John Banda, …; one or two strikers (Ishmael Thindwa, Loti Chawinga)?

The local players will leave Malawi for Chad via Kenya this Sunday.

“There has been a lot of talk about me clinging to old players so I want to try the youngsters. This is time for local-based players to show what they have and they will do a good job in Chad” – Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri

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By marco | February 24th, 2012 at 8:32 am

Why Malawi should not take Chad for granted.

1) Chad could be relatively unknown in the international scene but they do have capable players scattered all over Africa, notably Ezechiel Ndouassel. Ndouassel is a striker in the mould of Niger’s Moussa Mazzou; tall, skillful and forceful.

2) Chad could seize this match against Malawi as an opportunity to avenge once and for all for the embarassing 6-2 demolition they suffered at the hands of the Flames. Chad went on to force a 2 all draw against the Flames in the return leg effectively denying Malawi a ticket to the 2012 AFCON finals. If the 6-2 drubbing was too painful for Chad, the 2 all draw was even worse for the Flames who were at the brink of back to back qualification.

3) Chad’s unherald neighbours; Libya,Sudan, Central Africa Republic and Niger have been making enroads and doing well in continental competitions; this is going to be a motivating factor for them when they face Malawi.

Kinnar Phiri’s number of European based players is dwindling save for teenager, Robin Ngalande.
It is time for Kinnar to call my favorite Malawi u-20 international Tony Chitsulo to come and hold the fort. There is Mike Kaziputa also coming up. It is a good idea to invest in the youth and we should not be obssessed with a player’s physical address. Players based in Malawi are equally capable. Zambia taught us a few lessons and won the AFCON trophy with players based mainly in Africa.

By sscouser | February 24th, 2012 at 11:17 am

Why Malawi should not take Chad for granted.
1) Chad could be relatively unknown…
2) Chad could seize this match against Malawi…
3) Chad’s unherald neighbours…

marco, why are you reminding us that we need to pull up our socks?

“Kinnar Phiri’s number of European based players is dwindling”

How many were based in Europe? Forget Europe, Asia is the place to be. “Former” Malawi National Team Striker Victor Nyirenda is playing for one of the big clubs in Vietnam. Striker Elvis Kafoteka is in Thailand attending trials. Midfielder Joseph Kamwendo was in Thailand last month for trials. Former Chelsea player Nicolas Alneka is in China.

“It is time for Kinnar to call my favorite Malawi u-20 international Tony Chitsulo to come and hold the fort”

We all have our favourites. By the way, how many favourites do you have? Wasn’t it you who vouched for Lawrence Majawa’s inclusion in the Malawi National Team? He was called into camp (during one of the AFCON 2012 Qualifiers) but didn’t impress. Does he still play for Township Rollers FC (Botswana)?

“There is Mike Kaziputa also coming up”

How many times have you watched him play? Just during the COSAFA U-20 Tournament in Botswana last year? Remember, “AFCON is not child’s play”

“It is a good idea to invest in the youth”

Right. The Zebras disbanded after AFCON 2012 because at least 11 players 34 years old or older retired.

“we should not be obssessed with a player’s physical address”

Why did the Zebras want to camp in Qatar or Brazil?

“Players based in Malawi are equally capable.”

I think you wrote “Malawi should not take Chad for granted” because Malawi Coach Kinnah Phiri said: “There has been a lot of talk about me clinging to old players so I want to try the youngsters. This is time for local-based players to show what they have and they will do a good job in Chad”

“Zambia taught us a few lessons and won the AFCON trophy with players based mainly in Africa.”

One size does not fit all. By the way, 7 Zambians play for TP Mazembe (Congo). Team cohesion, team cohesion, team cohesion. The 7 include Midfielders Rainford Kalaba and Nathan Sinkala, defenders Francis Kasonde and Hichani Himoonde, and defensive midfielder Stoppila Sunzu. Reportedly, Stoppila Sunzu has revealed he has received offers from two EPL clubs: “Some people from Chelsea and Bolton have asked about me. They seem serious but I can’t say anything more. I have to wait for the TP Mazembe president (Moses Katumbi) to make a decision where I should go.” – Sunzu (scorer of Zambia’s final penalty).

“I have to wait for the TP Mazembe president (Moses Katumbi) to make a decision where I should go”

Seriously?

Posted from United States

By sscouser | February 24th, 2012 at 3:59 pm

“The 9 local players will be named this Friday” – By sscouser | February 22nd, 2012 at 10:08 am

Named 10:

Goalkeeper:
1. Charles Swini

Defenders:
2. Foster Namwera
3. Steven Chagoma
4. Pilirani Makupe

Midfielders:
5. Joseph Kamwendo
6. Ndaziona Chatsalira
7. Frank Banda
8. John Banda
9. Chimango Kayira

Striker
10. Ishmael Thindwa

Posted from United States

By sscouser | February 24th, 2012 at 4:09 pm

Entire Squad:

Goalkeepers
1. Simplex Nthala (Mozambique)
2. Charles Swini (ESCOM United, Malawi)

Defenders
3. James Sangala (Angola)
4. Moses Chavula (Amazulu, South Africa), CAPTAIN
5. Limbikani Mzava (Bloemfontein Celtic, South Africa)
6. Foster Namwera (Might Wanderers, Malawi)
7. Steven Chagoma (Blue Eagles, Malawi)
8. Pilirani Makupe (CIVO United, Malawi)

Midfielders
9. Davie Banda (Black Leopards, South Africa)
10. Peter Wadabwa (Thanda Royal Zulu, South Africa)
11. Tawonga Chimodzi (Santos, South Africa)
12. Joseph Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers, Malawi)
13. Ndaziona Chatsalira (ESCOM United, Malawi)
14. Frank Banda (Silver Strikers, Malawi)
15. John Banda (Blue Eagles, Malawi)
16. Chimango Kayira (ESCOM United, Malawi)

Strikers
17. Atusaye Nyondo (SuperSport United, South Africa)
18. Chiukepo Msowoya (Platinum Stars, South Africa)
19. Robin Ngalande (Atletico Madrid Youth, Spain)
20. Ishmael Thindwa (EPAC, Malawi)

Posted from United States

By Zambian | February 28th, 2012 at 10:26 am

The flames have always been a great partner to Chipolopolo. Thank you very much for all the support you gave us during Afcon 2013! I love Malawian football, it’s much like Zambian.
We need you at Afcon 2013! You are wonderful people!

By sscouser | February 28th, 2012 at 12:11 pm

Zambian, and the Chipolopolo have always been a great partner to the Flames? We also need you at AFCON 2013 but it seems you may not make it if we meet in the 3rd round.

Flames face flight hiccups
Daily Times (28 February 2012)

The Flames arrived in Chad for Wednesday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the wee hours of Monday because of flight delays.

Both the local and foreign based players’ flights to Nairobi were delayed.

Local players were expected to leave Kamuzu International Airport at 11am on Sunday but they were delayed by three hours while the South Africa based professional were delayed by two hours.

This caused panic because the Flames were in danger of missing a plane from Kenya to N’Djamena which was expected to leave Nairobi at 5pm on Sunday.

Realising the danger, Fam communicated with Kenyan Airways in Lilongwe, South Africa and Nairobi to consider rescheduling the flight to N’Djamena.

“The plane from Nairobi was delayed from 5pm to 8:30pm just to accommodate the Flames. We thank Kenyan Airways for understanding the situation otherwise the Flames could have arrived in Chad on Tuesday,” he said.

The Flames’ only Europe based professional player Atletico Madrid striker Robin Ngalande failed to arrive in Chad on Monday after his flight from Spain was cancelled at the eleventh hour.

Ngalande was supposed to join the main squad which arrived on Sunday but due to the flight cancellation he will be joining the squad on Tuesday.

This means he only has Tuesday afternoon to train with the squad ahead of the game.

…

Team cohesion, team cohesion, team cohesion.

Posted from United States

By sscouser | February 29th, 2012 at 9:18 am

By Stain Kalua | February 29th, 2012 at 12:57 am

the probable malawi team today is
Gk Simplex Nthala

RD. Limbikani Mzava
CD. Pilirani Makupe
CD. James Sangala
LD(C). Moses Chavula

LW. Frank Banda
DM. Davie Banda
AM. Joseph Kamwendo
RW. John Banda(br to Frank)

ST. Atusaye Nyondo
ST. Ishmael Thindwa

Substitutes
GK. Charles Swini
DF. Steve Chagoma, Foster Namwela.
MF. Taonga Chimodzi, Chimango Kaira, Ndaziona Chatsalira.
ST. Chiukepo Msowoya, Robin Ngalande.

Posted from United States

By sscouser | February 29th, 2012 at 9:30 am

Chad 0:0 Malawi (Minute 30)

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By sscouser | February 29th, 2012 at 9:45 am

Chad 2:1 Malawi (Half Time)

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By sscouser | February 29th, 2012 at 10:13 am

Chad 2:1 Malawi (Minute 60)

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By sscouser | February 29th, 2012 at 10:28 am

Chad 3:1 Malawi (Minute 75)