The Malawi national team, the Flames, suffered a fresh blow in their preparations for Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against hosts Angola, after failing to secure a suitable venue for a recovery session on Monday morning. It follows a difficult start to the trip, with the squad left stranded at Luanda airport for almost [...]
Nyasa Times News Desk
Nyasa Times Reporter
13h ago · 2 min read
The Malawi national team, the Flames, suffered a fresh blow in their preparations for Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against hosts Angola, after failing to secure a suitable venue for a recovery session on Monday morning.
It follows a difficult start to the trip, with the squad left stranded at Luanda airport for almost two hours on arrival.
Head coach Kalisto Pasuwa told Football Association of Malawi media the technical team had hoped to run a recovery session but struggled to find a venue.
He said staff were still trying to establish whether a pitch would become available in time for players to do some stretching before the squad's final training session.
On team news, Pasuwa confirmed striker Richard Mbulu has returned to training but remains under assessment ahead of the match. The coach said the late additions of Chawanangwa Gumbo and Robert Saizi had strengthened his options as Malawi manage a disrupted build-up.
Pasuwa said Malawi will need to be tactically disciplined for the away fixture, with transitions between defence and attack key to keeping their shape against a vocal home crowd.
Young goalkeeper Amos Sande could be handed his first start, depending on his performance in Monday's final session. Pasuwa praised the 'keeper's development, particularly his communication with defenders.
"The player is faring very well and is very fast in communicating with others," Pasuwa said.
He also welcomed Gumbo's recall, pointing to the pair's previous work together at COSAFA and the African Nations Championship.
"He is not new as we were together at COSAFA, and also at CHAN. He knows what we want and it just took where he left and we are moving," Pasuwa said.
Despite the disrupted preparations, Pasuwa said every player picked understands the responsibility of representing Malawi, and must carry the national badge with pride against Angola on Tuesday.
GPGrace Phiri
2h agoFinally some clarity on this. Thanks for the detailed breakdown.
JBJames Banda
1h agoI hope the authorities actually follow through this time.
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