2012 CAN qualifiers

Togo vs Malawi

APR’s star striker Victor Nyirenda has been left out of Malawi’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup (CAN) qualifier against Togo in Lome this afternoon.

Malawi Coach Kinnah Phili had no choice but to leave out the striker who is struggling with a knee injury sustained during last Sunday’s MTN Peace Cup final between Rayon Sport and the army side.

Nyirenda, who joined APR in February, enjoyed a fruitful campaign as the club lifted an unprecedented treble (Primus league, Cecafa Kagame Cup and MTN Peace Cup).
Nonetheless, Phili is positive that the Flames can topple Togo’s Hawks.

Kinnah said Togo’s shaky record in the previous campaign should give the Flames the confidence.

In Nyirenda’s absence, Malawi will rely on Esau Kanyenda, Russell Mwafulia, James Sangala, Elvis Kafoteka and Chiukepo Msowoya.

Like Nyirenda, Msowoya, who is set to join South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, was a huge success during his five-month loan spell at APR. Among other things, he single handedly won the Kagame Cup for APR after scoring five goals to claim the golden boot.

The Orange 2012 CAN will be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Ends