Silver Strikers are demanding a proper apology from Football Association of Malawi (Fam) over the remedy of striker Binwell Katinji in relation to his current call-up to the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames.
This comes after Katinji was despatched again from Flames coaching camp in Lilongwe on Saturday evening.
Katinji, who was initially excluded from the Flames 28-member squad that is preparing for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers towards Namibia and Tunisia, was advised to report for camp coaching in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Upon arrival on the Flames coaching camp on Saturday, the place he had supper with teammates, the ahead was knowledgeable that his identify was included by mistake.
Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba stated the remedy of Katinji raised critical issues about professionalism and integrity of processes at Fam.
“We expect a high standard of professionalism from Fam, particularly in handling players’ careers and welfare. This incident has caused unnecessary emotional distress to our player and we find it wholly unacceptable that such treatment can be meted out [on a player] by the national football governing body.
“Given the gravity of this situation, we seek urgent clarification on why our player was treated this way and what guarantees we have for the safety and well-being of other players in camp,” Chimimba stated.
Chimimba stated the remedy of Katinjii was not solely embarrassing but additionally damaging to the participant’s psychological well-being.
“Our player was directly contacted by the National Team Manager James Chilapondwa around 5pm and instructed to report to camp, which he duly did. He even went on to have supper [with others] around 7pm.
“Around 8pm, he was shockingly informed that he had been called up by mistake and was not supposed to be there and should leave camp. He left immediately and was escorted back home by Mr Peter Mgangira, the national team fitness trainer,” he stated.
The Flames are anticipated to host Namibia’s Brave Warriors at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this Thursday earlier than dealing with Tunisia away 4 days later.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka stated the mishap was a consequence of miscommunication.
“There was an error in the letter that was sent to Silver for the release of the players as his name was included. The mistake was rectified but some staff from both Silver and Fam did not notice that the mistake was corrected,” he stated.
Katinji’s exclusion from the preliminary Flames squad has drawn combined reactions from the soccer fraternity.
Some individuals had been of the view that Katinji carried out higher than some gamers through the two matches towards Comoros within the African Nations Championship (Chan) playoffs.
Former Flames striker Essau Kanyenda stated it was unlucky that Katinji obtained such a remedy simply every week after he scored two targets for the Flames.
“It is a [form of] torture to be treated that way, coming two weeks after he scored two goals in two matches. This does not look good,” Kanyenda stated.
Other notable exclusions from Pasuwa’s squad embody defender Stanley Sanudi, midfielder Chimwemwe Idana and goalkeeper Brighton Munthali.
The Flames are fourth in Group H of the World Cup qualifiers with six factors following two wins and two losses from 4 matches.
Tunisia lead the group with 10 factors whereas Namibia are second with eight factors.
Liberia are third with seven factors.