NOT JUST ANOTHER FRIENDLY

A majority of the Malawi Flames players play for South African Clubs:

Joseph Kamwendo (Orlando Pirates)
Jimmy Zakazaka (Bay United)
Fischer Kondowe (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Peter Mponda (Black Leopards)
Robert Ng’ambi (Black Leopards)
Grant Lungu (Black Leopards)
Moses Chavula (Nathi Lions)
Chikondi Likwemba (FC AK)
Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos)
Allan Kamanga (Dynamos)
Tawonga Chimodzi (Santos)

Pirates’ Joseph Kamwendo, Black Leopards’ Peter Mponda and Robert Ng’ambi, Nathi Lions’ Moses Chavula and FC AK’s Chikondi Likwemba will be available for the Flames’ Friendly match against Mozambique in Maputo on February 11, 2009. Bay United striker Jimmy Zakazaka will not be part of the squad because he pulled thigh muscles during training two weeks ago. Former SA based Jomo Cosmos midfielder Peter Mgangira has been recalled after a four-year absence owing to his impressive form with newly-crowned Malawi Super League champions Silver Strikers.

On a low note, a high number of the Flames players risk suspension in future games. As a matter of fact, Esau Kanyenda (KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia ) and James Sangala (Clube Desportivo 10 de Agosto, Angola) will not play against Ivory Coast because they each accumulated two yellow cards. FIFA made it clear at the start of the qualifiers that “if a player receives a yellow card in two matches in the same phase of the competition (i.e.group phase or knock-out phase), he will be suspended from his team’s next match.” The following Flames players have one yellow card each:

Swadick Sanudi (Goal-Keeper, Dynamos, S.A)
Elvis Kafoteka (Defender, ESCOM, Malawi)
Moses Chavula (Defender, MTL Wanderers, Malawi)
Joseph Kamwendo (Striker, Orlando Pirates, S.A)
Fischer Kondowe (Striker, Bloemfontein Celtic, S.A)
Hellings Mwakasungula (Midfielder, formerly of Moroka Swallows, S.A)
Russell Mwafulirwa (Striker, IFK Norrköping, Sweden).

Each yellow card attracts 1,000 Swiss francs fine. However, for every four yellow cards, the fine is US$5,000. The Flames have a total of 11 yellow cards. Do the math. The Flames are not alone. After Uganda’s humiliating 3-1 defeat to Niger that virtually ended Uganda’s chances in the 2010 World/Nations cup qualification, FUFA will part with $5000 (sh8.2m) to CAF in fines.