Flames vow to die fighting

Some Flames senior players have declared that they will not step into the cauldron of UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar tomorrow with their backs to the wall for the make-or-break 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Vice-captain Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula, Limbikani Mzava and Robert Ng’ambi said while they carry the underdogs tag, they are prepared to fight every inch of the way in the quest for giving world football its cinderella tale of the year.

The three key players yesterday said they are determined to fight for the cause of their motherland and cause a big upset that will cheer the spirits of the nation.

Said Chavula in a Facebook interview from Ghana in transit to Nigeria: “We have been written off as underdogs and very few give us a chance to cause an upset and you cannot blame anyone for thinking along those lines because Nigeria are considered giants.

“They are the reigning African champions, but we’ll go out there and give out something extra. It is not like we are going there just to fulfill the match, after all, it is not for academic interest, there is a lot at stake and my appeal to Malawians is that they should rally behind their team.”

Mzava said while they do not dispute that Nigeria are a better side, they should not be counted out.

“Of course, we have to accept the harsh reality that player for player, the Nigerians are miles ahead, but that does not mean that we should surrender before giving it a fight. The beauty of football is that it has given us many stunning results and that gives us confidence going into Saturday’s match,” said Mzava.

Ng’ambi acknowledged that it is a contest that is weighed heavily in favour of the hosts, “and we won’t lose anything to concede that we are going into a fight with a better opponent, but that does not mean we should be counted out.”

But what are the chances for the Flames?

“This is not an exhibition game and the fans expect us to put up a good show and, although they know that we are the underdogs, they want us to give them a good fight that will make them feel proud,” said Ng’ambi.

Former Flames skipper Peter Mponda said the odds are overwhelmingly stacked against the Flames, but said the Flames should be given the benefit of the doubt.

“It will be tough for the guys, very tough especially considering that they will be playing away, but while we have an uphill task, it does not mean that we should give up just like that.

“This game is special  in terms of the significance and results that we want to achieve,  and the guys need to give a good fight and we know that if they play well, we have a good chance of posting one of the greatest shocks in the history of continental football.

“We know that if we can give 100 percent effort, we can spring a shock result and that is what makes football such an interesting game because anything can happen and it just depends on how we apply ourselves,” said Mponda.

Meanwhile, while the Super Eagles official sponsors Guinness have pledged $2 000 [about K700 000] for each goal in tomorrow’s encounter, FAM is keeping a tight lid on the incentives that have been pledged in a bid to inspire the Flames to victory.

However, unconfirmed reports indicate that those in the starting line-up will be offered K200 000 each.