The Head of Technical Panel for Flames, Mario Marian Marinica has excluded Civil Service United goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe,
Wanderers attacking midfielder Yamikani Chester in his 28-man provisional squad that he released yesterday.
The two have been called for National team duty since their debut but their current performance has not been good.
Kakhobwe has started the majority of Civil’s games this season but his performance has been questionable while Chester’s performance at his Club, Wanderers has not been good as he is yet to score in over 13 games that he had played this season.
Tigers’ Dalitso Khungwa and Joshua Woka for KB Reserve have been named in the squad instead of Kakhobwe while Dedza Dynamos’ Charles Chipala has been named ahead of Yamikani Chester.
Marinica said he needs players who are performing in their teams to be included in his team.
“I have always said the players have to be in form in order to be considered for the national team and the five new players have showed great potential and are in form. We have 28 targeted players and this is not the final group. We are still monitoring other players, so the door is still open for everyone,” said Marinica.
Blue Eagles in-form goalkeeper Brighton Munthali is the surprise exclusion.
Marinica believes that Malawi will qualify for 2023 Chan.
Malawi has never qualified for the Chan finals.
The Flames qualified for the second round of the competition without kicking a ball after Zimbabwe were eliminated due to Fifa ban.
On the part of Mozambique they booked a place in the second round after beating Zambia 1-0 on aggregate.
“We believe that we can qualify this time because we have a very good plan. I have watched Mozambique, they have a good team. For us it will be an extremely difficult match but we have played tough competitive teams before and we will do it if we take the chances,’’ Marinica said.
The winner between Malawi and Mozambique will qualify for the Chan finals to be staged in Algeria next year.
Former Flames midfielder Sherry Msuku said Marinica has selected the squad on merit.
“I think majority of the in-form players have been included. This is the best local squad,” he said.
