Malawi name AFCON squad

JOHANNESBURG. — Malawi have named a 30-man provisional squad for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

In a list dominated by local-based profes­sionals, coach Meck Mwase would be hoping to lead the country to a successful outing at the biennial African football showpiece where they will face Zimbabwe, Guinea and Senegal in Group B.

Be Forward Wanderers quartet of William Thole, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi and Yam­ikani Chester made the cut alongside Orlando Pirates striker Gabadinho Mhango as well as Baroka FC’s Richard Mbulu.

Whereas the trio of Clever Mkungula, Innocent Nyasulu and Norchard Chimbalanga were overlooked from the squad hoping to list the African diadem for the very first time.

In case of injuries, 13 players, that boasts Hassan Kajoke, Brighton Munthali and Vin­cent Nyangulu, have been placed on standby.

Judging by coach Mwase’s list, a number of hopefuls currently on the fringes of the fold will be given an opportunity in training to prove their worth.

A final selection call will be made before the close of 2021, ahead of their AFCON opener against Guinea on January 10 inside the Koue­kong Stadium, Bafoussam.

Four days later, they will square up against Zimbabwe before trying Senegal for size in their last group game on January 18.

Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has been named in Guinea’s 27-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Cameroon on January 9.

Syli National boss Kaba Diawara is the first coach to name his squad for the tournament, which has been delayed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Arsenal forward Diawara (46) replaced Frenchman Didier Six for Guinea’s final two 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Novem­ber and was confirmed as the coach for the Nations Cup last week.

Florentin Pogba, brother of Manchester United and France midfielder Paul, and 18-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder Ilaix Mor­iba, who has represented Spain at youth level, are also included.

However, Olympiacos midfielder Mady Camara and Lokomotiv Moscow forward Francois Kamano have both been omitted.

Squads for the Nations Cup were originally due to be capped at 23, but national associa­tions can now name up to five extra players because of the pandemic.

Guinea have been drawn in Group B along­side Senegal, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Malawi squad for AFCON 2021

Goalkeepers: William Thole (Be Forward Wanderers), Ernest Kakhobwe (Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Thom (Silver Strikers).

Defenders: Limbikani Mzava (Amazulu), Dennis Chembezi (Polokwane City), Nickson Nyasulu, Mark Fodya (Silver Strikers), Sankhani Mkandawire (Nyasa Big Bullets), Gomezgani Chirwa (Nyasa Big Bullets), Lawrence Chaziya (CIVO Sporting), Paul Ndlovu (Mafco), Stanley Sanudi (Be Forward Wanderers), Peter Cholopi (Be Forward Wanderers).

Midfielders: John Banda (UD Songo), Charles Petro (Sheriff Tiraspol), Chimwemwe Idana (Nyasa Big Bullets), Chikoti Chirwa (Red Lions), Micium Mhone (Blue Eagles), Gerald Phiri Junior (Al Hilal).

Strikers: Robin Ngalande (St. George), Yamikani Chester (Be Forward Wanderers), Schumacker Kuwali (UD Songo), Francisco Madinga (FC Dilla Gori), Peter Banda (Simba Sporting Club), Zebron Kalima (Silver Strikers), Richard Mbulu (Baroka FC), Khuda Muyaba (Polokwane City), Henry Kumwenda (Butler Bulldogs), Gabadinho Mhango (Orlando Pirates), Stain Davie (Silver Strikers).

Standby: Richard Chipuwa, Clever Mkungula, Nikson Nyansulu, Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Norchard Chim­balanga, Blessings Tembo, Tawonga Chimodzi, Loyd Njaliwa, Misheck Seleman, Hassan Kajoke, Brighton Munthali, Vincent Nyangulu.

Guinea squad for AFCON 2021

Goalkeepers: Aly Keita (Ostersund, Sweden), Ibrahima Kone (Hibernians, Malta), Moussa Camara (Horoya, Guinea).

Defenders: Saidou Sow (St Etienne, France), Ibrahima Conte (Niort, France), Florentin Pogba (Sochaux, France), Ousmane Kante (Paris FC, France), Mohamed Aly Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Pa Konate (Botev Plovdiv, Bul­garia), Issiaga Sylla (Toulouse, France), Antoine Conte (Uni­versitatea Craiova, Romania), Mikael Dyrestam (Sarpsborg 08, Norway).

Midfielders: Amadou Diawara (Roma, Italy), Ibrahima Cisse (Seriang, Belgium), Mory Konate (Sint-Truidense, Bel­gium), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Bnei Sakhnin, Israel), Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Mamadou Kane (Neftci, Azerbaijan), Morlaye Sylla (Horoya, Guinea), Aguibou Camara (Olympiacos, Greece), Naby Keita (Liverpool, England).

Forwards: Seydouba Soumah (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Mor­gan Guilavogui (Paris FC, France), Mamadou Diallo (Grenoble, France), Jose Kante (Kairat, Kazakhstan), Mohamed Bayo (Clermont France), Sory Kaba (OH Leuven, Belgium). —Goalcom