Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi has named a 30-member squad of local players expected to go into camp on Monday in preparation for the dead rubber 2023 Afcon qualifier against Guinea on September 9 at Bingu National Stadium.

The squad has a majority of the players that starred at the 2023 Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa in July where Malawi finished fourth.

However, Mabedi has awarded some outstanding players in the TNM Super League and lower leagues with call ups.

Chitipa United towering goalkeeper George Chikooka has earned his first call-up following . his impressive performance in the

 league which has seen his club in the top four on the table

He will compete against Mighty Wakawaka Tigers’ Innocent Nyasulu and Nyasa Bullets Reserves’ Austin Chirambo.

The Kaukau Boys have also contributed defender Alex Kambilinya and midfielder Ben Manyozo.

In-form Mighty Mukuru Wanderers midfielder Wisdom Mpinganjira is also part of the squad, but his teammate Gaddie Chirwa is missing from the squad.

Mabedi: We have to win

Defender Chimwemwe Nkhoma of lower league side Mayamiko Stars, Bangwe All Stars defender Yamikani Mologeni, Ekwendeni Hammers’ Mphatso Magaleta and Silver’s Tatenda M’balaka have also been drafted into the squad.

Midfielder Francisco Madinga, who has just returned to Wanderers from Georgian club Dila Gori, is also back in the Flames squad after missing the Cosafa Cup and Afcon qualifiers.

On the other hand, Silver midfielder Patrick Macheso, Bullets’ Alick Lungu and Chikumbusto Salima, who were part of the Cosafa Cup squad, have been dropped due to injuries.

Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the Flames will start the camp with lower league and unattached players first.

 He said: “Sulom [Super League of Malawi] will schedule TNM Super League matches on Tuesday August 29 and Wednesday August 30.

“Therefore, Super League players will join Flames camp on Thursday August 31 and remain in camp up to September 9.”

Meanwhile, Mabedi says the match against Guinea is important despite Malawi being knocked out of the qualifiers.

He said: “It’s a home game and we have to win this match and finish on a good note. We started with a win and must end with a win.

“We are building a young team and most of them will be playing at home in front of own fans for the first time so they need to get a result to build their confidence ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in November.”

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Nyasulu (Tigers), Chikooka (Chitipa), Chirambo (Bullets Reserves)

Defenders:

Stanley Sanudi (Wanderers), Mark Lameck (Blue Eagles), Nickson Mwase, (Silver), Lawrence Chaziya (Wanderers), Blessings Mpokera (Bullets), Chimwemwe Nkhoma (Mayamiko Stars),Yamikani Mologeni (Bangwe All Stars), Daniel Chimbalanga (Mafco), Alex Kambilinya (Tigers), Chembezi Denis (unattached), M’balaka (Silver)

Midfielders:

Robert Gomez Saizi (Bangwe), Lanjesi Nkhoma, Frank Willard (Bullets), Lloyd Aaron (Civil Service United), Chimwemwe Idana (unattached), Chikondi Kamanga (Silver), Blessings Singini, Wongani Lungu (Ekwendeni Hammers), Chrispine Mapemba, Patrick Mwaungulu (Bullets) Wisdom Mpinganjira (Wanderers), Madinga (Wanderers), Bennie Manyozo (Tigers)

Strikers:

Christopher Kumwembe (Wanderers), Clement Nyondo (Dedza Dynamos), Mphatso Magaleta (Ekwendeni Hammers)

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