Foreign legion wings into Malawi for Africa Nations Cup qualifier

The bulk of Malawi's Flames' foreign legion has winged into the country in the countdown to Saturday's dead rubber Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe's Warriors in Bulawayo of Zimbabwe, website of The Nation newspaper reported Wednesday.

Midfield whiz Joseph Kamwendo, goal tender Swadick Sanudi, defenders James Sangala and Allan Kamanga, midfielders Robert Ng'ambi, Tawonga Chimodzi and Fischer Kondowe and gangling forward Russel Mwafulirwa who ply their trade in South Africa, arrived on the same plane from Johannesburg Monday evening oozing confidence while Tanzania-based defender Wisdom Ndlovu arrived on Sunday afternoon from Dar-es-Salaam.

Russia-based hitman Essau Kanyenda and soaring defender Clement Kafwafwa who plays in the Danish first division, are expected to link-up with the squad in Harare tomorrow enroute to the 'City of Kings' Bulawayo

Coach Stephen Constantine said he was very relieved because it not often that a national team coach gets the privilege of having the bulk of his foreign-based troops.

"As noted by the recent stakeholders meeting, the team lacks coordination and tactical discipline due to limited training availed for foreign-based players. Therefore, it is good that they have come to train with the rest of the team ahead of the Zimbabwe match. However, I would have loved to have them much earlier. Unfortunately, it couldn't happen because Fifa rules stipulate that they can only be released five days prior to the game.

"All the same, it is a relief that they are here because it is envisaged that in the process of utilising professional players on a continuous basis, we stand a chance of attaining a better pattern of play, good tactical discipline and good understanding among themselves," said the British coach.

He also said that the foreign legion is not guaranteed a place in the starting line-up and everyone will have to fight for positions.

"There are 11 professional players for this game. Just like the locally-based players, everyone and I mean everyone, will have to fight for a place, it doesn't matter who you are or where you play," said Constantine.

Kamwendo, who is enjoying a rich vein of form in the rainbow nations, asserted that Flames are not going to Bulawayo on a sight-seeing mission.

"Of course the match might be of academic interest but pride will be at stake. We want to finish the group on second position and we'll give out our best. If there was no cause at all, we certainly wouldn't have been here," said the midfield maestro who is expected to lead the Flames in absence of their on-field leader Peter 'Mjojo' Mponda who is serving two yellow cards alongside Tanzania-based midfield workhorse James Chilapondwa.