Three Bullets players have been named in the Malawi squad for the forthcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in Mozambique next week.
In his 24-man squad, the Flames coach Patrick Mabedi has named the defensive duo of Alick Lungu and Blessings Mpokera as well as red-hot striker and current leading scorer in the TNM Super League, Lanjesi Nkhoma.
It will be the second time for Nkhoma to make the feat after he was part of the former coach Marian Mario Marinica’s CHAN squad that failed to progress to the next phase following the Flames’ elimination from the competition by Mozambique on goal aggregate.
As for Lungu and Mpokera, they have been part of the Flames’ recent project after their breakthrough with Bullets in top-flight football.
Bullets loanee at Bangwe All Stars, Chikumbutso Salima, has also been included in the final squad on his first senior national team call-up.
However, midfielder Frank Willard and goalkeeper Clever Mkungula have been left out of the trip having been training with the team since last month.
Malawi will face Ethiopia in the second leg on 20 June 2023 in Mozambique. The first leg saw Malawi beating their opposition 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium, their only victory in the group which saw them dropping into third position with three points from four games.
Before the tie, Mabedi’s charges will play Mozambique in an international friendly match on Wednesday in Maputo.
Below is the final Malawi squad travelling to Mozambique.
Goalkeepers: Brighton Munthali, Innocent Nyasulu.
Defenders: Alick Lungu, Dan Chimbalanga, Stanley Sanudi, Blessings Mpokera, Dennis Chembezi, Lawrence Chaziya, Nickson Mwase.
Midfielders: Yamikani Chester, Lloyd Banega Aaron, Robert Saizi, Chikumbutso Salima, Lloyd Njaliwa, Chimwemwe Idana, Peter Banda, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Macheso, Chikoti Chirwa.
Strikers: Chawanangwa Kaonga, Chifundo Mphasi, Gaddie Chirwa, Richard Mbulu.
