Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri has omitted injury-plagued captain Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda in his squad for the gruelling 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana’s Black Stars.
The coach has also excluded experienced strikers Russel Mwafulirwa and Esau Kanyenda.
Mponda, considered one of the best defenders the country has ever produced, has not been picked in the 10-man list of foreign based stars released by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on Monday.
The defender who has served his country for over 14 years and plays for Santos in South Africa, suffered a knee injury and doctors recommended that he should stay out of action until November this year.
Flames in training camp
Mponda, who was captain when the Flames qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations after 26 years, is also considering retiring from international football .
He however said he remains a “big supporter of the Flames.”
Malawi squad will travel on to Accra, Ghana for the September8, 2012 crucial qualifier match.
The Flames, who are already in training camp, are scheduled to be in Liberia from 3-5 September, 2012 before playing that country’s national team on September, 4, 2012 at Samuel Doue Sports Complex.
The squad
In the squad, the selected players include Mozambican based goalkeeper Simplex Nthara. Angolan based defender James ‘Shareholder’ Sangala, Limbikani ‘Pupa’ Mzava, Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula and Harry Nyirenda have been left with the mantle to marshal the
defence.
Midfielders list has Platinum Stars Robert ‘Baggio’ Ng’ambi and former Black Leopards militant midfielder Dave ‘Abambo’ Banda while strikers called for duty include unattached Chiukepo Msowoya, Peter Wadabwa,Victor Nyirenda, Robin Ngalande and Atusaye Nyondo .
Some of the locally based players, who are already in camp include the man-of-the moment Gabadihno Mhango, Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo, Frank Banda, Steven Chagoma, Chimango Kayira, Pilirani Makupe, John ‘Kintu’ Lanjesi, Rodrick Gonani, and Francis Mlimbika.