Malawi disappoint Swaziland over friendly game snub
Malawi’s Flames disappointed Swaziland after opting to play a friendly game against Zimbabwe at Kamuzu Stadium on May 25.
“The eagerly anticipated clash to pit the two countries was scheduled to be played next week Saturday in Blantyre, Malawi. However, the ‘Flames’ as the Malawi national team is affectionately known, have opted for higher ranking opponents. They will now play the preparatory game against Zimbabwe,” reported Swaziland Times.
National Football Association of Swaziland Chief Executive Officer Frederick Mngomezulu told Swaziland Times that the association could have done nothing about it as Football Association of Malawi opted for a higher ranking opponent.
“There was really nothing the association could have done under the circumstances because such things happen in football. Usually when countries invite others and propose to play friendly games, the host country approaches a number of countries for that particular preparatory game. The same thing could have happened in our case and probably Malawi then opted for Zimbabwe,” Mngomezulu said.
He also said another reason for the cancellation of the friendly game was administrative.
“I cannot however publicly reveal the other reasons of the game’s cancellation because they are administrative,” he said.
The paper said the news would likely to be met with disappointment by the Sihlangu players who had expressed their delight at playing against the Malawians, especially in their backyard.
It also said Mozambique’s Black Mambas are linked to be a replacement for the Flames.
Malawi date Zimbabwe’s Warriors on May 25 in preparations for Group F World Cup qualifiers against Namibia on June 5 and Kenya June 12,both games at Kamuzu Stadium .
The Flames are on second tied with group leaders Nigeria at five points but they have an inferior goal aggregate to the Super Eagles.
