Chikooka’s gloves could keep him in healthy competition with Munthali for a place in the Flames

Outstanding performance with Silver Strikers, keeping five clean sheets in nine games, George Chikooka transferred his brilliance to the Malawi National Team on Thursday when the Flames flamed Sao Tome and Principe.

Patrick Mabedi included three goalkeepers in his last squad, Brighton Munthali, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Innocent Nyasulu, and Silver’s George Chikooka.

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The former Flames skipper opted for Chikooka in goals against the Warriors of Equator as Malawi recorded a 3-1 win to move third in Group H of the World Cup Qualifiers.

Making his debut for the National Team on home soil, but Chikooka has made quick progress. Manning Chitipa United’s goals last year mans Silver Strikers’ posts this season. His departure from Chitipa could arguably be the reason for the team’s struggle this season as they are slumped to the bottom three of the table in TNM Super League, his arrival at Silver Strikers could be arguably the stepping further in his career but also upgrading the Bankers’ squad.

The game against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets was the one in which Patrick Mabedi fully assessed the brilliance of the keeper as he made four crucial saves to deny the home side to score at Kamuzu Stadium last Sunday. Four days later, Chikooka started in Flames colors.

“He is doing well, this is not a secret,” justified Mabedi his decision to start with him against Sao Tome and Principe. “I believe that we should give the chance to the one who deserves it.

“He [George Chikooka] is doing well in the TNM Super League and why shouldn’t we give him the chance?”

After a splendid performance at home, Chikooka will have a night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with his co as Malawi will connect their journey to Malabo on Saturday ahead of their crucial and real test against Equatorial Guinea who are seeking their first point, they have forfeited six points for allegedly using an ineligible player during their opening two games in these qualifiers.

Let the psychodrama commence. A win over Sap Tome was inevitable, but Malawi will need to dig for results against Equatorial Guinea, with Namibia facing Tunisia in their fourth game, a win in Malabo will see the Flames pipping Namibia to second place.

Brighton Munthali has been the Flames No. 1 since his time at Silver Strikers before losing the place to Ernest Kakhobwe who was later supplanted by Charles Thom at the 2021 AFCON finals. The keeper who spent the 2023/24 season with Black Leopards in South Africa regained his position with the coming of Mabedi as the head coach for the Flames.

Since making his senior international debut on 7 October 2015, at the 2018 World Cup qualifier, in a 2–0 defeat to Tanzania, Munthali has never let his country down.

Just like Munthali, Chikooka couldn’t keep a clean sheet on his debut, Devilson Silva reduced the arrears for Sao Tome, a goal that Mabedi described as avoidable but no one can fault the keeper. He stretched his arms but the defenders allowed the midfielder to unleash a half-volley inside the penalty area.

Commentators applauded the performance of the towering keeper on Thursday. His ball-playing ability allowed Malawi to patiently build up the attack from the back.

Chikooka’s height could give him an edge over Munthali as Malawi will be looking to cautiously defend against set pieces away from home and Chikooka could outjump the opposition’s strikers to claim high balls.

Have a look at the height of some of the goalkeepers playing at big clubs: David De Gea (1.92m, Manchester United), Manuel Neuer (1.91m, Bayern Munich), Thibaut Courtois (1.99 m, Real Madrid), Franco Armani (1.9m, River Plate), Alisson Becker (1.91m, Liverpool) and so on. But, of course, we are talking about modern football. Years ago, it was more common for clubs to have average height and even short goalkeepers (Jorge Campos and Rene Higuita are famous examples).

As much as goalkeeping has evolved, it’s still about keeping the ball out of the net. Chikooka’s ability to react in split seconds and contort hus body to block shots from a close range is one of the most critical attributes which separates him from the goalkeepers in the squad. This skill requires agility and quick reflexes.

Contrary to his appearance, Chikooka when manning the posts, he has the ability to communicate with his defenders. The goalkeeper is the only player who gets enough time to watch/read the game, unlike the rest of the team that is busy focusing on the ball or their area of the field.