Flames Under 23 off to Belgium

…to play seven training matches…

The Malawi Under 23 National football team has left the country for Belgium where it’s expected to play seven friendly matches with top clubs in readiness for 2019 African Cup of Nations Under 23 qualifier against Zambia next month.

According to a statement released by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) on Friday, the team will complete the tour with an international friendly match against Egypt on 8th March.

Head coach Make Mwase told the media that the trip will give him a good platform to prepare against an experienced Zambian Under-23 side.

“Firstly, let me thank National team head coach Ronny Van Geneugden for facilitating the trip and FAM for supporting the idea that we play friendly match’s before facing Zambia.

“The Europe camp will expose and motivate the players but above that, the trip will help us to improve technically by playing against high level players,” he was quoted.

The team will play STTV on 19 February before facing PSV 24 hours later.

Maze’s men will then play OHL on 25 February before facing GENK and RODA JC in succession.

The Under 23 will complete the tour with a match against SP HASSELT on 2 March.

The team has also been given an opportunity to watch a Europa league game between KRC GENK and SLAVIA PRAAG and a Belgium League match between KRC GENK and R ANTWERP FC.

Below is the full delegation:

GOALKEEPERS

1. Rabson Chained – Nyasa Big Bullets
2. Brighton Monthly – Silver Strikers
3. Charles Thom – Dwangwa United FC

DEFENDERS

4. Charles Petro – Nyasa Big Bullets
5. Trevor Kalema – Silver Strikers
6. Mark Fodya – Silver Strikers
7. Hadji Wali – Silver Strikers
8. Chembezi Denis – Be Forward Wanderers
9. Precious Sambani – Nyasa Big Bullets
10. Stanley Sanudi – Be Forward Wanderers
11. Peter Cholopi – Be Forward Wanderers
12. Gomezgani Chirwa – Nyasa Big Bullets

MIDFIELDERS

13. Peter Banda – Griffin Young Stars
14. Isaac Kaliyati – Be Forward Wanderers
15. Chimwemwe Idana – Nyasa Big Bullets
16. Mike Mkwate – Nyasa Big Bullets
17. Enerst Tambe – Be Forward Wanderers
18. Laurent Banda – TN Stars
19. Gregory Nachipo – Blue Eagles FC
20. Francis Mkonda – Masters Security
21. Levison Maganizo – Silver Strikers

STRIKERS

22. Batison Chikaiko – Tigers FC
23. Patrick Phiri – Nyasa Big Bullets
24. Hassan Kajoke – Nyasa Big Bullets
25. Juma Yatina

TECHNICAL STAFF

26. Ron Van Geneugden – National Coach
27. Meck Mwase – Head Coach
28. Peter Mponda – Assistant Coach
29. Bob Mpinganjira – Assistant Coach
30. Swadick Sanudi – Goalkeepers Coach
31. Charles Kamanga – Team Manager
32. Aubrey Nankhuni – Assistant Manager
33. Chikondi Mandalasi – Physiotherapist
34. Happy Tembo – Team Doctor
35. Rashid Ntelela – Head of delegation

The team is expected to return home on 9 March ahead of the Zambia match on 20 March at home before the second leg on 26 March in Lusaka.