Majawa to make Flames' full debut

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Friday March 25, 2011 00:00

 

A former MTL Wanderers' skipper, Majawa is favoured to start following reports that two of the Flames' top midfielders are out of the tie due to suspension. Dave Banda and Hellings Mwakasungula, the Flames' holding midfielders, will sit it out making way for the Popa star. The only other defensive linkman available for this weekend's tie is Jacob Ngwira, who turns out for Carara Kicks in South Africa's National First Division.

Majawa has been in fine form for the defending champions since joining them in 2009. He played a pivotal role in their cup double triumph last season and has been instrumental this season as they fight to retain the title.

He has been in camp with the team since Monday.

Majawa, affectionately known as Tico Tico, is ready to make a positive contribution to his country.

'I've been called for national team duty back home in Malawi and it's quite exciting for me. It's always an honour to play for one's national team and for them to have called me while I'm playing in Botswana is encouraging,' Majawa told Mmegi Sport.

So far, the hard-working midfielder has two senior national team caps. Last month, he featured as a substitute when Malawi played Namibia.Malawi are in the same group with the Zebras and are still to visit Botswana for the return leg. Majawa believes the Zebras, who lead Group K, after collecting 13 points from five games, have already booked a berth in next year's Equatorial-Guinea/Gabon AFCON finals.

He is confident that Malawi can still leapfrog Tunisia and finish runners-up. The Flames are third, a point behind the former African champions Tunisia, who have seven points. Two teams in the five-team group will make it to next year's finals and for the Flames to do so they must win their next two matches. 

'You cannot rule us (Malawi) out so we just have to keep working hard because we can finish second. I know Tunisia are a big team but we can get points when we play them. As for the Zebras, I think they have already qualified,' he said.

The Flames will have to do without their captain, Peter Mponda, who suffered a knee injury while turning out for his club, Santos, recently.

Meanwhile, Majawa has confirmed that he has clinched a new three-year deal with Rollers, thus ending speculation linking him with a move to Mochudi Centre Chiefs at the end of the season.

'The reason I signed the new deal with Rollers is because there is a deal that the club is organising for me (outside the country); so I felt it would be nicer to stay on with them and see how things shape up. The Chiefs' deal would not have made much of a difference since they are also a Botswana club just like Rollers. I'm happy with everything here at Rollers,' he said.