Kamwendo snubs Flames…as Saintfiet says Malawi Flames is not for money making

Malawi national team captain Joseph Kamwendo on Thursday announced he would not be available for the Flames’ international friendly
against Rwanda on August 14 for undisclosed reasons.

Kamwendo communicated to coach Tom Saintfiet on his unavailability for the Flames in the international friendly against Rwanda.

Football Association of Malawi General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed the captain is unavailable for the Rwanda game but he was not sure of his presence in the Nigeria game.

“I was out of office for the past two days. I have just returned this morning,” he said.

“But what I have gathered is that he has said he wants to be excused from the national team because he wants to do some other things. He has not specified which things.”

Saintfiet refused to comment on the issue as he was in a meeting. However, Kamwendo has since been replaced by defender Douglas Chirambo.

Kamwendo’s move comes just after the coach announced his squad in which he axed some 12 players due to indiscipline and poor performance.

But the captain was critical of the coach’s bonus of US$10,000 and demanded that players’ bonuses be increased.

The bonus has been withdrawn and Fam has promised a special bonus for players. But the Belgian coach has told his players that they should not expect to make a fortune out of the national team, but rather at their clubs. – By Joy Ndovi