FAM awaits official offer from Splidsboel

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said they are yet to receive an official offer from Kim Splidsboel to host the Flames in Denmark.

Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo told Nation Online that Splidsboel, who managed the Flames from 2001 to 2002, offered to host the Flames in Copenhagen for two weeks before their journey to Nigeria for the return leg World Cup qualifier.

Ng’onamo said Splidsboel has committed to meet accommodation, food and local transport costs as well as organising build-up matches and special training sessions.

“I already talked to him and he agreed to host us in Denmark. He said we would just need about $10 000 (K4 million) for other expenses,” said Ng’onamo.

However, a month after the interview with Nation Online, FAM say they only got the news from Ng’onamo and not Splidsboel himself and as such it was difficult to respond.

“Just like you in the press, we also were told by the coach (Ng’onamo). We told the coach that the offer should be in writing. We need a concrete official offer from Kim to FAM. In that way, it would be easy for us to respond. But up to now there is nothing on offer,” said FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda.

He said for the integrity of the team, and to avoid embarrassment, FAM will want everything on record.

“We have to look at the bigger picture and preserve the professionalism of FAM in all dealings. We will not make a decision until we get the offer officially,” said Nyirenda.

Asked on Tuesday about FAM’s need for official communication, Ng’onamo said it is up to FAM to follow up with Splidsboel because his role was just to link them up.

“They need to tell him when the team will travel and how many they will be,” said Ng’onamo.

The Flames, who are Group F joint leaders with Nigeria on five points, are scheduled to face the Super Eagles in September for their final group qualifier that could determine winners of the single ticket to the last round of the qualifiers. However, this will depend on the results of the two teams’ fixtures in June.

Nigeria will travel to Nairobi for their return leg against Kenya on June 5 and a week later they are expected in Windhoek to engage the Brave Warriors of Namibia. On the same dates. Flames are expected to host Namibia and Kenya respectively in reverse fixtures.