APM says Malawi owes Flames, Queens ‘unpayable debt’
Minister of Sports and Youth Development Grace Obama Chiumia promised for more support from government to the Flames following their 4-3 victory against Benin.
Malawi President Peter Mutharika has congratulated the national football team, the Flames for reaching the group stage of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Benin on penalties and also paid tribute to Malawi Queens’s netball side.
Flames who won on spot-kicks 4-3 now face Mali, Ethiopia and Africa’s top-ranked side Algeria in Group B.
Reacting to the results, President Mutharika who has travelled for US-Africa summit in Washington DC hailed the Flames for advancing in the competition.
President’s communications and strategy advisor, Bright Malopa, told Nyasa Times on Saturday that the Head of State joins “fellow Malawians in congratulating the Malawi national football team -the Flames and the Malawi national netball team, the Queens for rising to the occasion in defence of their country in the just ended tournaments.”
Malawi Queens maintained their status as Africa number one ranked side when they defeated South Africa on Friday to finish fifth at the Commonwealth games in Scotland.
Malopa said President Mutharika “followed the games with keen interest”.
Mutharika, according to Malopa, noted that “there were scores of difficulties to overcome and tackles in great measures all designed to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations and the impressive performances by the Queens at the Commonwealth game.”
The President described the performance by the Queens at the Commonwealth games and Flames win as a result of resilience, focus and dedication in the face of great difficulty.
“It also shows that small and poor as we may be, we are yet to realize our potential. As a nation, we owe our national teams an unpayable debt,” said Mutharika.
The results have been branded their inspiring performances over the weekend is “good news “to all Malawians
“We can do it, we have done it and we will do it,” Mutharika said.
Minister of Sports, Grace ‘Obama’ Chiumia who watched the match at Kamuzu Stadium also said she was “delighted” with the Flames win.
“It was a very good performance,” said Chiumia.
She promised that government will inject its support to the national team to prepare well for the forthcoming fixtures.
Chiumia assured that there is political will at Capital Hill to propel the national team to greater heights.
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu took to Twitter to express his delight: “Mighty victory against Benin. What a mighty God we serve. Kudos to the Goalie and the Team for the nerves of steel. Bravo Flames!”
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