Josephy Kamwendo still out in the cold
Kamwendo still out in the cold
Posted: 2010-09-20 14:33
Malawi national football team coach Kinnah Phiri has ruled out midfielder Josephy 'Shakira' Kamwendo for the game against Chad in Group K Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on October 9 at the giant Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Kamwendo announced retirement from the Flames after he traded barbs with Kinnah who accused him of faking his fitness ahead of the game against Botswana.
The enterprising midfielder who has just signed a season long loan contract with Vasco da Gama has said the media misquoted him "completely out of context". He said he did not quit international football and that he will be available for the Flames if recalled.
Flames skipper, Peter 'Mjojo' Mponda has appealed to the coach to consider recalling 'Shakira' for the next month's Chad encounter.
But Kinnah has said there will be no place for Kamwendo in the squad to face Chad.
"Having released the list of local players I am on my way to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) now to contact managers of various clubs to find out in what shape our foreign-based players are, especially those that I am not quite sure about. But as I said, I don't think I can call a person who is struggling with fitness and is not playing competitive football," Kinnah said.
Kamwendo who is on loan from Orlando Pirates has been short of game action at Vasco Da Gama and was ruled out of Saturday's Premiership clash against Free State Stars.
He was expected to return after completing a ban for a red card he received in the Nedbank Cup last season.
However, Kamwendo's work permit arrived late, delaying his registration with the PSL. League rules stipulate a player can only start his suspension once he is registered, meaning 'Shakira' will have to sit out another two games.
Meanwhile, the Flames' coach has hinted that he may consider recalling South Africa-based strikers Jimmy Zakazaka and Grant Lungu in the list of foreign-based players to be named for the Chad game.
"As I said, I will not call names. This time I will be thorough and I will try to check with their clubs on how they are doing and how many games they have played," Kinnah said.
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