There isn’t much time ahead of the Cosafa Cup scheduled for South Africa, but that has not stopped Malawi coach Meck Mwase from handing maiden call-ups to 10 players and recalling forgotten seasoned campaigners.
Mwase has invited the TNM Super League’s leading scorers, Maxwell Gasten of Silver Strikers, his Nyasa Big Bullets counterparts Hassan Kajoke, Mischeck Selemani alongside Karonga United’s livewire attackers Thoko Harrison and Anthony Mfune.
The provisional 39-member squad includes Migty Tigers goalkeeper Christopher Mikuwa, Bullets’ Richard Chimbamba, Blessings Mpokera, Red Lions defender Pilirani Thulu, Chikondi Kamanga (Silver Strikers), Lackson Mwale (Civil Service United) and Gadik Chirwa from Blue Eagles.
Mwase has not ignored in-form seasoned strikers Zicco Mkanda (Bullets) and Muhamad Sulumba (Civil) who were part of the squad that lifted Cosafa Plate Division championship in South Africa in 2015.
The coach has also recalled Mozambique-based attackers Ndaziona Chatsalira and Schumacher Kuwali.
It is yet to be seen whether Mwase might gamble and draft in his final squad for the Cosafa Cup the new players or the recalled veterans.
The coach has summoned some of the forgotten names after having excused regulars such as Richard Mbulu, Gerald Phiri Junior (Baroka FC), Charles Petro, Peter Banda (Sheriff FC), John Banda (UD Songo) and Orlando Pirates’ Gabadinho Mhango.
The Flames have also given Cyprus-based experienced midfielder Tawonga Chimodzi and striker Khuda Muyaba, whose threats to score for the national team have yielded nothing in seven games, another chance to stake their claims in the team.
Malawi are in Group B alongside rivals Zambia, Comoros Islands and Madagascar of the tournament to run from July 7 to 18 2021 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Only winners of each of the four groups plus overall best runners up will advance to the semi-final.
Full squad:
GOALKEEPERS
- Brighton Munthali – Silver Strikers
- Enerst Kakhobwe – Nyasa Big Bullets
- William Thole -Wanderers
- Christopher Mikuwa – Tigers
- Richard Chimbamba – Nyasa Big Bullets
DEFENDERS
- Stanley Sanudi – Wanderers
- Nickson Nyasulu – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Paul Ndhlovu – MAFCO
- Peter Cholopi – Wanderers
- Erick Kawonga – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Gomezgani Chirwa – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Nickson Mwale – Silver Strikers
- Pilirani Thulu – Red Lions
- Dennis Chembezi – Polokwane City
MIDFIELDERS
- Chimwemwe Idana – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Mike Mkwate – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Rafick Namwera – Wanderers
- Duncan Nyoni – Silver Strikers
- Yamikani Chester – Wanderers
- Chikoti Chirwa – Red Lions
- Vitumbiko Kumwenda – Wanderers
- Chikondi Kamanga – Silver Strikers
- Micium Mhone – Blue Eagles
- Patrick Banda – Ekwendeni Hammers
- Lackson Mwale – CIVO
- Anthony Mfune – Karonga United
- Misheke Selemani – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Blessings Mpokera – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Taonga Chimodzi -Omon Aradippou
- Ndaziona Chatsalira -Ferreviario de Nacala
STRIKERS & WINGERS
- Hassan Kajoke – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Maxwell Phodo – Silver Strikers
- Stain Davie – Silver Strikers
- Sulumba Muhamed – CIVO
- Gadik Chirwa – Blue Eagles
- Ziko Mkanda – Nyasa Big Bullets
- Thoko Harrison – Karonga United
- Khuda Muyaba – Polokwane City
- Schumacker Kuwali – UD Songo