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| Sports |
| Mabedi, Maduka maintain no-show stance |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 06 October 2004
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20:03:11
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Flames battle-hardened duo, captain Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi and midfielder John Maduka finally ruled themselves out of Saturday’s joint World Cup and Africa Nations Cup qualifier against continental champions Tunisia due to what they described as personal commitments.
The duo threatened to quit the Flames recently apparently after being disappointed with adverse press reports following the team’s 3-2 loss to Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
Both Mabedi and Maduka confirmed in separate interviews from South Africa where they ply their trade that they will not be available for the game.
Maduka sounding rather sarcastic, said: “I have some other personal commitments to attend to this side and I don’t think I can make it for this game. After all there have been reports that my availability does not change anything at all.
“Anyway I wish the guys good luck, I am sure if they can keep their heads up, we can pull a surprise.”
On his part Mabedi, without elaborating simply said: “Sometimes I think it’s good to watch from behind the scenes. There have been very disturbing developments lately and although I feel great to put on the captain’s arm band, I will not be available.”
Flames caretaker coach Yasin ‘Teacher’ Osman said while the absence of the two experienced players is cause for worry, he is not pressing the panic button.
“Any coach would love to have such experienced players in the squad because their know-how is very vital, more especially when you are playing such big teams like Tunisia.
“But at the same time we cannot force matters and the availability of the other foreign-based players like Peter Mponda, Russell Mwafulirwa and Clement Kafwafwa is a big relief. There are also other locally-based players that can fit in,” said Osman, who described the morale in camp as being sky-high.
Mponda, who arrived in the country on Monday from Zimbabwe, described the stand taken by the two most senior players as unfortunate.
“As senior players they have to take criticism...of course sometimes the press goes beyond the limits in its criticisms, but it’s something that happens anywhere. They should have come for the game,” said Mponda who is the Flames’ assistant captain.
Mponda and Kafwafwa who arrived in the country Tuesday afternoon, joined the team at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu for the afternoon training session.
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