The Maravi Post

MZUZU--Flames and Mighty Wanderers natural left-footed midfield star Joseph Kamwendo is back from Thailand where he hopes to go back next month to finalise a professional deal.

Kamwendo could not pick up his phone on Tuesday, but a close friend, who asked not to be named, confirmed that the former Orlando Pirates player was back in the country because the league in Thailand is on recess.

“He did not say for certain whether he had clinched a deal with the club he had been on trials with, but sounded confident enough that he had impressed the coach and was hoping for the best,” the source told MaraPost.

A Mighty Wanderers official also confirmed in an interview published in a local daily, The Daily Times, that Kamwendo is back home.

“It is true that Kamwendo is back. He came to Wanderers Clubhouse on Sunday when we were holding a meeting. We did not have time to talk to him because we were busy,” Nomads vice-chairman Gift Mkandawire told the paper.

Mkandawire said they were planning to meet the player on Monday.

Initially it was reported that the player was to undergo trials in Turkey, but a few days later after his departure it transpired that he was in Asia and not Europe as earlier reported.

Reports say Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has invited Kamwendo to join national football team camp for local players in preparation for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Chad on February 29.

Meanwhile, a South African online publication reports that South Africa-based Flames striker Chiukepo Msowoya is enjoying game time at relegation-threatened Platinum Stars where he has gone on loan from Orlando Pirates.  

Stars coach Owen da Gama is reported to have told Super Sport that he hopes the arrival of Msowoya, fellow striker Patrick Malokase and defender Lucas Thwala from the Buccaneers could help the team avert relegation.

“Msowoya and Tshepo [Moloto] also have what it takes to make the difference in my team. I will use Malokase behind the strikers as a playmaker of the team because he is an excellent passer of the ball,” da Gama told publication.

Platinum Stars, who are on position 13 in the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), reinforced their squad by signing defender Moloto from Jomo Cosmos during the January transfer window.

“I am impressed by what I have seen in all the new players that we signed,” the coach added.

The news should come as a great relief to the Malawian striker who hardly kicked the ball at Pirates after spending most of the season relegated to the bench or in the stands since he arrived at Pirates from Rwanda’s APR in 2010.
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