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| Sports |
| Malunga misses Angola trip |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 02 July 2003
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07:51:05
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Super League top net buster Ganizani ‘M’bobo’ Malunga was left out of the Flames’ squad which left for Johannesburg en route to Angola on Tuesday for Sunday’s Africa Nations Cup qualifier, after failing to locate his passport.
Flames’ team manager John Kaputa said just before departure in Lilongwe that the Bakili Bullets forward phoned him in the morning to inform him that he was hunting for his passport at home in Bangwe Township in Blantyre.
“We can as well say he has been ruled out of the trip because we are just about to leave now,” said Kaputa.
He further explained that there was no possibility that Malunga will be replaced.
The 24-man squad, which is led by Fam executive member George Kaudza Masina, also includes two trialists defender Patrick ‘Shange’ Mangani and Blue Eagles striker Dick Malidadi.
A Sports Council official Nelson Phiri has also made the trip. Council’s boss George Jana said Phiri’s inclusion follows government’s move to revive the old system of including its official in national team trips whenever they are being funded by government.
“It used to be the case in the past and we are trying to revive the system to ensure accountability of the funds...it’s on a trial basis though,” said Jana.
The squad does not include any foreign-based player as both Russell Mwafulirwa and Essau Kanyenda are serving two yellow cards. Germany-based Dan Chitsulo, who already ruled himself out of the game, was not on the coaching panel’s plans for the match, according to Fam.
Meanwhile Angola have called up three uncapped players for the match in Luanda, officials said on Monday.
According to a Reuters report, defender Maninho, striker Chinho and goalkeeper Angelo are all new to the squad named by coach Ismael Kurtz.
Angola, who are already out of the running for the 2004 finals in Tunisia, have included just three of their foreign-based players for the Group One match namely Portuguese-based experienced defender Bodunha, striker Medonca who also plies his trade in Portugal and Qatar-based Fabrice ‘Akwa’ Matheus .
Nigeria, who have eight points from four matches, have already qualified for the finals by winning the group.
Following is Malawi’s full squad: officials: George Kaudza Masina (leader of delegation), Nelson Phiri (Sports Council), Alan Gillett (coach), Gilbert Chirwa (assistant coach), John Kaputa (team manager) and Matthews Mangondo (team doctor); players: Phillip Nyasulu, Navigator Dzinkambani, Joseph Gatros, Itai Nundwe, Allan Kamanga, Maupo Msowoya, Lackson Mtambo, Patrick Mangani, Emmanuel Chipatala, Moses Chavula, Kenani Kondowe, Peter Mgangira, Rahim Ishmail, Robert Ng’ambi, Heston Munthali, Dick Malidadi and Victor Phiri. |
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