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| Sports |
| Mwafulirwa jets in |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 24 March 2003
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Gangling forward Russell Mwafulirwa winged into the country Monday evening from his base Johannesburg to join the Flames in the countdown to Saturday’s vital Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria at Chichiri Stadium in Blantyre.
Fam also said they were expecting another South Africa-based seasoned centre-back Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi to fly in together with Mwafulirwa, but the former was not in the plane from Johannesburg and was instead reported to have gone for training at his club Kaizer Chiefs.
Mabedi could not be reached to comment on the sudden change of his travel arrangements Monday afternoon.
The association’s public relations and marketing officer Isabel Maziya said earlier on in the afternoon that Chiefs had responded favourably to Fam’s request to release Mabedi and that the player confirmed with Fam that he would fly in.
She, however, added that another South African-based midfielder John Maduka, who has had a stormy relationship with Fam, has since been ruled out.
“We wrote to Maduka’s club Umtata Bushbucks to ask for his release, but there has been no response, so he is definitely out of this game,” said Maziya.
Mwafulirwa said on arrival in Blantyre from where he connected to Lilongwe in the evening that he was geared for what has been dubbed as the ‘Battle of Blantyre.’
“This game comes at a time when I am in top form. I have been scoring regularly since I joined Cosmos and I am hoping to do well for my country this Saturday against Nigeria,” said Mwafulirwa with a broad smile.
But what’s his feeling about the Super Eagles?
“They are a good side and indisputably one of the best teams on the continent with very skilled players, but we can handle them. They have some weaknesses and if we capitalise on them, we can easily pull a surprise.
“I think we should just keep our heads and forget about Nigeria’s big name stars...we should just go there and play our game,” he said.
Mwafulirwa, who has stolen the thunder at the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit with his goal scoring prowess, added that he has settled down at his new club.
“So far so good, I am enjoying my game and I have easily fitted in the team,” he said.
Meanwhile Russian-based striker Essau Kanyenda is expected to arrive Tuesday.
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