The Daily Times
Monday, November 12, 2012
By JOY NDOVI
Twelve teams including Malawi's Flames enter the pot today in the Council for East and Central African Football Association (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup draw to be held in Kampala, Uganda.
The confirmed 12 participants at this year's edition of Africa's oldest regional competition are hosts Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania
Ethiopia, Sudan, Burundi, Somalia, Eritrea, North Sudan, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Malawi, Somalia and South Sudan.
Malawi are the only invited guest at the competition and they replaced Djibouti who pulled out last week.
Cecafa general Secretary Nicholas Musonye said the Council opted for Malawi ahead of Cameroon who had also shown interest in taking part, because they are closer to the region than the Indomitable Lions.
"We had an application from Cameroon but we opted to go with Malawi because when you have a party you cannot leave out your next door neighbour and go for one from far", Musonye said.
"Malawi will be replacing Djibouti which pulled out. We could have considered Cameroon too but having 13 teams will simply complicate the draw so we have opted to leave it at 12."
Meanwhile, the Flames start camp today in preparation for the tournament.
Coach Kinnah Phiri has called a 25-member squad which has both experienced and up-and-coming players.
He has called in veterans Dave Banda, Moses Chavula, Chiukepo Msowoya and Joseph Kamwendo.
Also in the squad are the usual Cecafa campaigners like Gastin Simkonda, Chimango Kayira, Frank Banda, Charles Swini, Foster Namwela, Bongani Kaipa, Francis Mulimbika, Steve Chagoma, Pilirani Makupe, John Lanjesi and Ndaziona Chatsalira.
New comers in the Cecafa team are Birghton Ngwenyama, Gabadihno Mhango, Owen Chaima, Micium Mhone and Moses Nankumba
The tournament, to be held in Uganda, will take place between November 24 and December 8 2012.
Uganda are defending champions.