Newly appointed Creck Sporting Club head coach Eliya Kananji has described this weekend’s high-profile friendly clash against Mighty Wanderers as vital, as he prepares to steer the club into a new era.
The friendly match, scheduled for Sunday, comes at a time when domestic football has taken a pause due to the FIFA International Break, with Malawi’s senior national team the Flames currently in South Africa for the 2025 COSAFA Championship.
However, the break marks his first official assignment since taking the reins at Creck’s , and he is keen to use the fixture to assess his squad’s fitness levels, technical sharpness, and overall match readiness.
“It’s a balanced team, a good mix of experience and young talent,” Kananji told the club’s media during a friday training session.
“But this friendly is important because it will help me understand their fitness levels, skill sets, and how best to deploy them.”
He reaffirmed his confidence in the current squad, stressing that his relationship with many of the players stretches back years, making this more of a continuation project than a complete rebuild.
“I’ve known these players for a long time their behavior, their attitude. That gives me a good foundation to build from”, he said.
“Now it’s just about enhancing what’s already here and bringing out the best in them.”
Kananji emphasized his intent to give game time to players who have yet to feature since the league resumed in April, underlining his belief in squad depth and fair competition.
“Discipline and performance are non-negotiables in my philosophy,” he said.
“Every player has to earn their place. Matches like this are perfect opportunities to lift spirits, reward effort in training, and evaluate who is ready to step up when it matters.”
Despite being only days into the role, Kananji expressed satisfaction with how quickly he’s settled into the camp, commending the players for their hunger and commitment.
“Everyone is pushing hard,” he concluded. “The mood is positive, and the ambition is clear we want to do better, and we will.”
