FAM eyes Flames’ overseas camp

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it is planning an overseas camping for the Flames as part of the team’s preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) back-to-back qualifiers against Egypt’s Pharaohs.

Indications are that FAM is courting Saudi Arabia FA who funded the Flames camping in the oil-rich nation in preparation for the 2021 Afcon finals in Cameroon in January this year.

The Flames will travel to Egypt for the first leg scheduled for March 20 before facing off again eight days later at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said in an interview yesterday that the Flames will regroup early January.

“We are mindful that it will be off-season for Malawi football; hence, the need to keep our players fit to avoid a long lay-off,” he said.

On whether they have already sourced funding for the trip, Nyamilandu said: “We always plan on all things being equal. The plan will lead us to find resources.

“It is important that the team regroups after a long break so that we are well prepared for Egypt.

“Our setbacks should not deter us from forging ahead. We are exploring all options, including our partnership with Saudi Arabia.”

Flames coach Mario Marinica also confirmed the plans in an interview yesterday.

He said: “Walter and myself are working very hard behind the scenes to arrange a sponsored camp in partnership with our friends from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia FA before the Afcon qualifying games.

“This is being done to avoid the hardship we had last time when we could not play any friendly match before all competitions: Afcon, Cosafa as well as Chan [Africa Nations Championship.”

The Flames gaffer said he will take advantage of his trip to Saudi Arabia this weekend for a coaches’ conference to negotiate for camping.

Meanwhile, Marinica says he has been invited to Saudi Arabia to make a presentation on how Malawi, with limited resources, made it to the knockout stages, including holding eventual champions Senegal.

Ironically all the four teams in Group D have three points each. But Ethiopia top the group courtesy of a better goal difference, followed by the Flames, Guinea and Egypt.

Malawi beat Ethiopia 2-1 in their opening match at home before losing 1-0 to Guinea’s Syli Nationale away.