Masters fails to leave for Angola over Visa complications

In what looked like a comedy, Masters Security FC failed to leave for Angola on Wednesday to face Atletico Petroleos de Luanda in the first leg of the Caf Confederations Cup due to visa complications for its players.

The team arrived at Kamuzu International Airport in the afternoon only to return back as there were told by immigration and travel authorities that players had visa complications.

The development irked some players, who were murmuring on poor timing for their officials for failure to sort out the visa issues.

“They knew it that we were supposed to have visas way back.We do not understand why they let us come to the airport fully prepared for the trip only to return back due to visa complications,”said one senior player.

Masters General Secretary, Zachariah Nyirenda, said their failure to fly out was worrisome because they processed visa documents two weeks ago.

Nyirenda said they learnt that Angola Home Affairs office failed to process the visas due to a public holiday on Tuesday.

“We are surprised by this development because we sent everything [all documents] to Angola. We have communicated to Fam [Football Association of Malawi] and Caf on the matter. We might travel either on Thursday [today] or Friday [tomorrow], but we will make it,” Nyirenda said.

Leader of delegation, Severia Chalira, said they would do everything to ensure that Masters travel to Angola.

“This is a scenario that happens most of the time. We are hopeful that this will work out in good time,” Chalira said

Meanwhile,the players have threatened not to travel to Angola unless the club settle them outstanding allowances.

However, Nyasa Times understands that on Thursday there is no flight from Addis Ababa to Luanda.