By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The delay in the arrival of seven Mighty Mukuru Wanderers players to the Malawi National Team camp has left Flames Coach Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi concerned about the team’s preparations for the upcoming four-Nation tournament.

With only five players available for training last week, Mabedi expressed his concerns about the impact this delay could have on team cohesion and performance.

Mabedi had named a provisional squad earlier in the month, with plans to begin training sessions last week.

However, players from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers, and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were held back by their respective clubs for at least a week.

This delay meant that the Flames only had a limited number of players to work with during the initial stages of their preparation.

Speaking to the Football Association of Malawi Media, Mabedi acknowledged the challenges posed by the delay in receiving players from Wanderers.

He noted that the new coach at the club wanted to assess the players before releasing them to the national team camp.

“We need to acknowledge all the teams that have provided their players to us, unfortunately, we haven’t received players from Wanderers,” Mabedi said. “At the end of the day, I think it will be a setback for us because the combination of players will be a problem but we will deal with it as time goes.”

The players from Wanderers who are yet to join the camp include Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya, Chimwemwe Nkhoma, Clement Nyondo, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Francisco Madinga, and Christopher Kumwembe.

Mabedi mentioned that he is awaiting confirmation of the availability of the European-based Malawian players before finalizing the squad on Friday.

Despite the challenges faced by the team, Mabedi remains optimistic about their chances in the upcoming tournament.

He emphasized the importance of adapting to the circumstances and making the best of the situation.

With a focus on team cohesion and performance, Mabedi is working with the players available to him to ensure they are well-prepared for the competition.

As the Flames continue their preparations for the four-Nation tournament, the delay in the arrival of the Wanderers players serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing national team squads.

Mabedi’s ability to navigate these challenges and lead the team to success will be crucial in determining their performance in the upcoming tournament.

With the final squad set to be announced soon, all eyes will be on how the Flames adapt and overcome the obstacles in their path.