Botswana friendly cancelled due to lack of funds

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has cancelled the Flames’ international friendly match against Botswana’s Zebras due to lack of funds.

The Flames were scheduled to take on the Zebras tomorrow in Gaborone as part of next weekend’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Zimbabwe’s Warriors.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda yesterday confirmed the cancelletion of the strength-testing match, saying: “We had no choice but to communicate with our counterparts in Botswana yesterday [on Thursday] that we won’t make it.

“We needed at least K10 million for the match, but government only provided us with funding for return air tickets to Zimbabwe.

“It is a big blow because but there was nothing else we could do,” he said.

Nyirenda said the Flames are scheduled to fly out to Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare on Friday, just a fay before the match slated for National Stadium.

Meanwhile, following the cancellation of the Botswana friendly, Flames coach Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali has turned to training matches against local clubs and on Thursday, the Flames pipped Azam Tigers 1-0 at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe, Blantyre.

Left winger Dalitso Sailesi scored the lone goal with a long-range volley.

“We feel having one or two training games could help us though it will still not be enough. We had asked to for another friendly against Be Forward Wanderers tomorrow [today], but they are preoccupied with other things,” said Mtawali.

The Flames anchor Group L with two points from four games having drawn two and lost twice as well.

On the other hand, Zimbabwe who top the group with eight points, host Uganda’s Cranes in a friendly match on Tuesday. n