AFCON Malawi coach Mario Marinica names provisional squad for 2023 AFCON qualifiers

Malawi coach Mario Marinica has named a provisional 27-member squad of home-based players to begin the first phase of preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Marinica, who has taken over the mantle from dismissed Meck Mwase, said he wanted to build on the team’s performance at the 2021 AFCON finals held in Cameroon.

We will try as much as possible to build on continuity and consistency and at the same time to look to get new faces,” he told Football Association of Malawi website.

Like I said before I want everyone to be here on merit and based on performances regardless of age and clubs where they are coming from.

“If anyone in the country plays well and proves that he has potential, we will not hesitate to give them a chance to prove their capabilities at national team level.

“We are looking at players that are in-form but also bridge the gap by looking at the future. We will continue assessing players how they are preforming and if people show they are good enough they will be called.”

The coach has dropped goalkeepers William Thole, Brighton Munthali, Zebron Kalima and defender Peter Cholopi who were part of the 2021 AFCON squad.

Mwase earned the Flames qualification to the 2021 AFCON but was demoted with the Romanian Marinica taking charge of the team and it reached the round of 16.

Marinica has since named Patrick Mabedi and Franco Ndawa as his new assistants replacing Bob Mpinganjira and Lovemore Fazili who served under Mwase.

Malawi will meet Ethiopia and Guinea between the end of this month and next month in the qualifiers for Group D with a meeting against heavyweights Egypt slated later in the year.

The Flames first phase of training starts this week until May 22 when the next phase will begin involving foreign land based players.

Malawi will host Ethiopia on May 2 before facing Guinea four days later.

Full provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernest Kankhobwe, Clever Nkungula, Charles Thom

Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Paul Ndlovu, Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Mark Fodya, Kelvin Kadzinje, Gomezgani Chirwa, Frank Chikufenji, Hadji Wali, Precious Sambani, Patrick Banda.

Midfielders: Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Chester, Schumacher Kuwali, Micium Mhone, Chikoti Chirwa, Innocent Msowoya, Chawanangwa Gumbo,

Attackers: Stain Dave, Anthony Mfune, Mphatso Kamanga, Gaddie Chirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya, Zeliat Nkhoma

Technical  Panel:

Marian Mario Marinica (Head of Techncial Panel),

Patrick Mabedi (Assistant Coach),

Franco Ndawa (Assistant Coach)

Clwyd Jones (Assistant Coach/Sports Psychologist/Data Analyst),

James Sangala (Technical Support Manager)

Major Rodgers Mhongo (Assistant Technical Support Manager)

Victor Mphande (Goalkeeper Trainer)

Gift Ligomeka (Team Doctor)

Chikondi Mandalasi (Physiotherapist),

Peter Mgangira, Enos Chatama (Understudy Coaches)

Lawrence Waya (Intern Data Analyst)


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