While being exceptionally pleased with the inclusion of Wisdom Mpinganjira in the Malawi National Team call up by Interim Coach Patrick Mabedi, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC Head Coach, Mark Harrison believes his number one shot stopper William Thole should have made the grade. He speaks to Wanderers Media ahead of the TNM Super League clash against Mafco FC on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium.

On facing Mafco FC which lost to the Nomads in the first round

Look every game is different. We did a good job up in Dwangwa but it will be a different story here on Sunday. The team [Mafco FC] is doing it’s bottom fighting for it’s life now and they got beaten last week in Lilongwe by Extreme FC. I know they will be angry, they will be upset and they will be hungry for three points. So if we will enter this game with this mentality [that it’s a walkover since we beat them last time], we will be in trouble. We have to focus and make sure we are ready for action tomorrow.

On his impression over Flames call up

It’s always encouraging to see your players being called up for the national team, and five players is alot [titters]. At the end of the day, I am exceptionally pleased for Wisdom [Mpinganjira] because he has been playing so well this season and he deserves recognition. And talking about recognition, I am bit disappointed that you have got William Thole who has been left out when he is the best goal keeper in the league at the moment without doubt. He has nine clean sheets, he doesn’t seem to concede many goals and almost half of the goals he has conceded have been penalties. So I don’t understand why he is not in the squad when you have a goalkeeper who is in first division in the squad. It does not make sense to me but anyway I am not the National Coach but it’s just my observation and i just find it hard to believe, i think it’s a little bit embarrassing really.

Gaddie [Chirwa] also for me has been playing well this season. Yes he doesn’t score the goals may be people think he should. But his creativity and what he gives you is immense. He was in the COSAFA squad but he is not in the squad this time around. I understand things change and we have to accept that. I spoke to him the other day that we need to work hard and get him back in the squad and it’s important for him as a player as well. Look we have got five but if we can get six or seven it would be even better. Like I said i am not the National Coach, I can not pick the squad, I can only look at that from the outside in.

Mark Harrison has also provided update on the state of injuries

Adeleke [Kolawole] has started training this week but he is no where near match fitness. I mean the boy has not played for over a year now. He is probably going to play some four or five games with the Reserve team just to try to get some minutes on his belt. After that we can assess him whether he is ready for super league action. Mphatso [Kamanga] is still injured. We need to get him looked at properly. I think he is going to need a scan because this knee injury is getting me concerned now, it’s been too long now. He has been out for six or seven weeks which is far too long. We also have got Miracle [Gabeya] who is injured but probably he is only a week away from fitness.

The Nomads return to Kamuzu Stadium after playing two games away to Ekwendeni Hammers and Chitipa United last week where they amassed four out of six points. Should the Lali Lubani Boys win on Sunday against thirteen placed Mafco FC, they could see themselves going top in the standings where they currently lie third.

© WANDERERS MEDIA

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