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| Sports |
| U-20 team leaves for South Africa |
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by
Garry Chirwa, 25 November 2004
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11:49:47
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A-26 member Malawi Under-20 national soccer team left the country by road on Wednesday morning for Johannesburg, South Africa, for the Cosafa tournament which is expected to kick-off on Saturday.
Fam president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed that the team started off without confirmation from the Zone Six Council of Ministers which recently banned Malawi from taking part in any regional event until government squares up a K11 million ($101,851) fine which was imposed three years ago for failing to host the inaugural Zone Six Games.
“The issue is now in the hands of government, we had no choice but to send the team because we are racing against time and that we had already made arrangements for the trip like hiring a coach from Shire Buslines Company.
“The situation is quite tricky because we can be allowed participation at the last minute and as a result we could be panicking. We are now waiting to hear from government,” said Nyamilandu.
The team which, is being led by Fam executive member Joseph Mapwesera, left by the luxurious Sacramento coach and is expected to arrive in Johannesburg later on Thursday.
Coach Kinnah Phiri and team manager Gowa Banda said they were optimistic that the team will do well.
Kinnah said just before departure: “I am very confident that we will do well for the nation. All the players are in shape and looking forward to the tournament.
“We have also been encouraged by the performance and results which we registered in friendly games a couple of days ago especially against Blue Eagles (3-0) which is one of the biggest teams in the land,” added Kinnah.
The team includes such big-name lads like defenders Bernard Kalilani, James Sangala, Chiku Kanyenda, midfielders Dave Moya, Noel Mkandawire, Lumbani Munthali and Joseph Kachule and strikers Rhodrick Douglas, Gift Makoloni, Prince Chihana and Peter Wadabwa.
Should Malawi get the nod from the organisers, their first game will be against Namibia on Saturday. Malawi were last year’s losing finalists when they went down to Zambia 3-0.
Following is the full squad: Officials: Joseph Mapwesera (leader of delegation), Kinnah Phiri (coach), Willow Mihowa (ass. coach), Gowa Banda (team manager), Mphatso Phiri (team doc.) Patrick Kapanga (ref); Players: Bright Nyirongo, Terence Kandoje, Vincent Gona, Bernard Kalilani, James Sangala, Chiku Kanyenda, Spencer Chipantha, Chipiliro Jose, Gerald Mhango, Dave Moya, Joseph Kachule, Lumbani Munthali, Noel Mkandawire, Charles Kalaile, Gift Makoloni, Peter Wadabwa, Prince Chihana, Rhodrick Douglas, Rhodrick Gonani and Joel Chipofya.
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