Newly appointed national basketball team coach Mike Fluech has axed three senior
players from his first call up since assuming the duties in July.
Fluech has surprisingly sidelined Blantyre based players Richard Chavula,
Victor Jere and Atusaye Mulagha, who play for Southern Zone Basketball League
(Sozobal) outfit Bricks.
The coach who has replaced Blair Phiri has called 14 players to report for camp
in October ahead of Afro Basketball tournament to be staged in South Africa
However, the new national team mentor has included Mimbulu pointguard Daud
Suleman, Magang’a offguard Hope Chisamanga and, Bricks duo Chikondi Mwendera and
Weluzani Chingota in his squad, which is full of veterans.
Fluech has also called up-and-coming players such as Albert Simango of Mimbulu
and ABC Lions’ forward Vincent ‘Mbeule’ Ngosi in the squad.
Fluech selected the 14 after holding national team trials in all the three
zones. He conducted trials in Blantyre on August 12 before proceeding to
Lilongwe and Mzuzu on August 17 and 26 respectively.
The coach also trains ABC Lions said expected a lot from his troops.
“I'm calling each one of them and explaining my expectations. I am also briefing
them the responsibilities that will be placed upon them,” he said.
Basmal vice president Jacob Chikoya said Fluech has the mandate to change the
squad if some players lose form or get injured.
Chikoya said the Afro Basketball tournament would attract teams that are within
Zone VI countries.
The coach is expected to name a 12-member squad when leaving for tournament
which is expected start in November.
The followings is the full squad; Daud Suleman, Vincent Mbeule, Alinane Harawa,
Emmanuel Kambalane,Albert Simango, Weluzani Chingota, Mtende Nzunda, Takondwa
Mengezi, Nelson Kanyenda, Hope Chisamanga, Jeff Kumwenda, Henry Mwalwanda,
Mwasoni Phiri and Chikondi Mwendera.