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| Sports |
| Navigator in the cold |
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by
Leonard Sharra, 27 April 2004
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16:36:36
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Former Flames’ goalkeeper Navigator Dzinkambani, who joined MDC United at the start of the season after being ditched by his former team Bakili Bullets, has been left out in a 41-man squad that has been called into camp to start preparations for the forthcoming Nations Cup/World Cup assignments.
The Flames’ long serving goalkeeper, who was second choice during the national team’s previous engagements is not among four goalkeepers: Phillip Nyasulu (MTL Wanderers), Swadick Sanudi (Bullets), Jafali Saizi (Red Lions) and Sibusiso Padambo (Silver Strikers) called into camp.
Quizzed whether the player has been dumped this time because he is plying his trade with the less glamorous MDC United, coach Kinnah Phiri said the player’s exclusion had nothing to do with his move from Bullets.
“We did not drop Navigator because he left Bakili Bullets. We based our selection on the current performance of the players and Navigator’s performance had dropped down. Even his team is not doing well. If he was still in top form, I would not have offloaded him from Bullets,” said Phiri who did the selection alongside John Kaputa.
But MDC’s outspoken team manager Simon Mkandawire, whose team has contributed only one player, felt Navigator was still in his top form.
“If the selection has been done on merit that’s fair enough. But as far as I am concerned, Navigator is still the best goalkeeper on the local scene,” said Mkandawire.
Also asked why Jomo Cosmos midfielder Peter Mgangira, who is not featuring regularly in the South African club has been included in the team, Phiri said: “We decided to give the foreign players a chance to compete with the locals. They may not be featuring regularly in their clubs but can have more experience than the locals.”
“Mgangira scored in Ethiopia when he was not doing well at Cosmos,” said Phiri.
Other players on the list, which includes 12 from Bullets alone, are defenders Maupo Msowoya, Petros Mwalweni, Peter Mponda, Wisdom Ndlovu (Bullets), Mike Kumanga (Moyale Barracks), Lackson Mtambo (Red Lions), Allan Kamanga (MTL Wanderers), Itaye Nundwe, Godfrey Banda (Silver Strikers), Kaisi Benesi (Mafco), Patrick Mabedi (Kaizer Chiefs).
Midfielders: Moses Chavula, Hellings Mwakasungula (Silver Strikers), Joseph Kamwendo (MTL Wanderers), Emmanuel Chipatala, Robert Ng’ambi, James Chilapondwa, Fundi Akidu, Fischer Kondowe (Bullets), Davie Moya, Msakaike Mlenga (Blue Eagles), Davie Banda (Mafco), Pritchard Mwansa (Moyale Barracks), Peter Mgangira (Jomo Cosmos), John Maduka (Amazulu), Dan Chitsulo (Cologne FC).
Strikers: Heston Munthali (MDC), Dick Malidadi, Jimmy Zakazaka (Bullets), Lewis Mbetewa (Blue Eagles), Victor Phiri (Moyale Barracks), Noel Mkandawire (Civo), Malumbo Mkandawire (Mafco), Mwai Mwanza (Mzadd), Zwange Gondwe (Silver Strikers), Russel Mwafulirwa (Jomo Cosmos), Essau Kanyenda (Rostov).
The team is expected to camp at Kamuzu Academy soon after the Charity Shield games slated for the weekend.
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