Flames coach Patrick Mabedi has left out the majority of players who were his predecessors Maria Marinica’s favourites in his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Ethiopia on June 20.

Mabedi said this on Monday during a press briefing at Chiwembe in Blantyre that his choice of players was based on the technical panel’s vision for the Flames.

“If you look at the Malawi national football team, age is catching up with most of the players. That’s why we need more youngsters,” he said.

Players such as Paul Ndhlovu, Charles Thom, Mark Fodya, Francisco Madinga, Charles Petro, Patrick Mwaungulu, Micium Mhone, Stain Davie, Khuda Myaba and Christopher Kumwembe were household names in Marinica’s time and featured against Egypt at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in March. But they are all not in Mabedi’s plans so far.

Instead, Mabedi has trusted Under-23 national football team players who include Chikumbutso Salima (Bangwe All Stars), Lanjesi Nkhoma (FCB Nyasa Bullets), Chifundo Mphasi (Shamuel FC, Zambia), Lloyd Aaron (Civil Service United), Innocent  Nyasulu (Mighty Tigers) and Robert Saizi (Blue Eagles).

Mabedi has also recalled some foreign-based  players that were not in Marinica’s plans such as Zambia-based Chawanangwa Kaonga (Zanaco) and Mozambique-based Richard Mbulu (Costa do Sol).

But AmaZulu striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango, who is out for three months due to an injury, is also dropped.

Apart from Mbulu and Kaonga, Mabedi has also named captain Mozambique-based John CJ Banda, Lloyd Njaliwa, Chikoti Chirwa and Yamikani Chester.

Tanzania-based Peter Banda who was reportedly injured is also part of the squad after his club Simba assured Mabedi that he is fit.

Mabedi said the clear out will continue and that he will take more youngsters to the Cosafa Cup in South Africa next month where he wants to expose young players.

He said: “Some of the [old] players you are seeing in this squad [for Ethiopia Afcon qualifier] will not be there at the Cosafa Cup.”

But soccer analyst Patrick Zgambo said while Mabedi is taking the right path, he may not succeed due to pressure.

He said: “Mabedi is perhaps right, just as  his predicessors Ernest Mtawali, Kinnah Phiri, Meke Mwase and even Marinica were at some point before they all cracked under pressure and abandoned their playbook and turned again to the same geriatrics they earlier abandoned, all in search of quick results.”

“I am talking about him still sticking to this wisdom and narrative when the pressure of instant results from a developing team during the growth process rather than building a teams that can yield long-term results.”

The Flames left yesterday for Mozambique where they will play a friendly against the Mambas on June 17.

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