Malawi coach Meck Mwase, his deputy Lovemore Fazili and defender Peter Cholopi have been ruled out of Sunday’s friendly against Tanzania after testing positive for Covid19.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM)  confirmed on its website that assistant coaches  Bob Mpinganjira will take charge of the friendly scheduled for Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Cholopi from Mighty Wanderers FC has also been ruled out.

The three are all asymptomatic and have since gone into isolation.

The Flames left for Dar es Salaam on Friday with a 22-member squad.

The squad includes newly drafted Wanderers midfielder Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Nyasa Big Bullets defender Eric Kaonga and Scotland-based defender Kieran Ngwenya.

Captain Limbikani Mzava, vice-captain John Banda, Gerald Phiri Junior, and Francisco Madinga are not part of the squad due to various reasons.

Mzava and Phiri are injured while Banda and Madinga were excused due to club commitments.

Mpinganjira told FAM media that the Flames were prepared for the match despite the absence of the other members.

“It is unfortunate that coach Mwase and Fazili will not be with us just like Cholopi and the other players. We wish them quick recovery. The preparations have gone on well and the boys looked good in training and we hope that we will do well in Tanzania.

“The new guys have done well in training and now it is time for them to show that they are ready to be part of this project,” Mpinganjira said.

Full Flames travelling squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ernest Kankhobwe, William Thole, Brighton Munthali

Defenders
Charles Petro, Stanley Sanudi, Erick Kaonga, Nickson Nyasulu, Paul Ndlovu, Denis Chembezi, Kieran Ngwenya,

Midfielders
Chimwemwe Idana, Peter Banda, Chimango Kayira, Yamikani Chester, Chikoti Chirwa, Rafiq Namwera, Tawonga Chimodzi and Vitumbiko Kumwenda.

Strikers
Vincent Nyangulu, Gabadihno Mhango, Richard Mbulu and Khuda Muyaba.