Malawi coach Mtawali worried as FAM calls off Botswana friendly: Flames to fly direct to Zimbabwe for Afcon tie

Blessings Kamanga –Nyasa Times

Malawi National Football Team Coach Ernest Ntawali says he has been told to forget about an international friendly before meeting Zimbabwe’s warriors in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Flames Team Manager Clement Kafwafwa lead training
Flames Team Manager Clement Kafwafwa lead training
Flames Coach Ernest Mtawali talks tactics with his deputy Nswazwirimo Ramadhan
Flames Coach Ernest Mtawali talks tactics with his deputy Nswazwirimo Ramadhan

The country’s football governing body, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) had secured an international friendly for the Flames against Botswana’ Zebras before meeting Warriors on 4 June.

Speaking to Nyasa Times, Mtawali said he has been informed by FAM that the friendly against Botswana won’t take place due to financial problems.

He said the team will therefore fly direct to Harare, Zimbabwe on Friday 3 June after government had earlier called off plans to let the team travel by road to Botswana before connecting to Zimbabwe.

“I can confirm to you that the team will fly direct to Zimbabwe next week on Friday for the Saturday match. We have been told that we have to prepare within the country due to financial constraints before playing Zimbabwe,” said Mtawali.

However, despite the mix-up to their preparations ahead of the match next week, the former Flames international said he believes in the squad he has assembled for next week’s game and COSAFA games later next month.

He said he and his backroom staff are working tirelessly to keep the boys in shape for the two competitions.

“We started training on Monday without Be Forward Wanderers players who only joined camp on Tuesday due to club assignments. On the same day, we released Bullets and Blue Eagles players for club duties. So you can see how affected we have been but I still believe in the squad and hope to come up with the final traveling squad on Tuesday next week,” Mtawali said.

According to reports, government turned down the proposal of letting the team travel by road to Botswana before connecting to Zimbabwe because the route is not safe following renewed conflict between ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) and Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) rebels who recently claimed the lives of four Malawians who were attacked while in transit from South Africa to Malawi via Maputo.

Sports Council Executive Secretary George Jana confirmed to the development that government has authorized the Flames to fly and have provided about K17 million kwacha.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
6 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Chandamale
Chandamale
7 years ago

Funding thieves what do you mean.

Jobeh Chikonamombe
Jobeh Chikonamombe
7 years ago

Vik, why not just support the Zimbabwean Warriors

Vik
Vik
7 years ago

I support the govt. Today’s Flames is very nonsense. Its better to support other sectors like health, education etc

kanyimbi
kanyimbi
7 years ago

Good thinking by the government.

Nolimit
Nolimit
7 years ago

Boma lachita bwino kupanga withdraw friendly game. Flames ikungowononga ndalama palibe chimene ikuchita.Bravo govt its better to fund Health,Education as well agriculture sectors not Sports since results are always poor from flames.

Petre Mathanyula
7 years ago
Reply to  Nolimit

The administration of Walter Mc Millan Nyamirandu Manda imeneyo. It’s the year of harvest. Anthu ananena kuti zinthuzi nzosiyirana, patsani mpata anzanu ayesereko, koma kakakakakaka!!!!!! kukakamira. Kufuna kwanu kuchitike.

Read previous post:
Malawi burns patients rate at 15%: Queens Hospital holds awareness day

Maurice Nkawihe –Nyasa Times Queen Elizabeth Central hospital (QECH) Plastic Surgery Clinic treats about 4,500 out-patients a year and about...

Close