FAM, govt contradict on Cosafa tourney

The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) has said it is waiting for Malawi’s endorsement to host the regional soccer showcase—The Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup in July.

However, Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu and the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Alex Mseka contradicted on the issue on Wednesday.

Cosafa chief operations officer Sue Destombes on Wednesday said her office is still waiting for both FAM and government’s commitment to host the 13-member tournament.

“As with any hosting country and association, it is expected that they endorse and support the hosting of the tournament and the earlier that is done, the better,” Destombes said.

She also said the host nation is supposed to provide the match and training venues together with allied services such as security and medical.

“The local television broadcaster assumes the role of host broadcaster and produces the pictures during the tournament and provides the international signal to Cosafa; form a Local Organising Committee to work alongside and support the Cosafa Organising Committee,” said Destombes.

But Nyamilandu on Wednesday insisted that FAM took up the issue of hosting the Cosafa tournament with government through the Ministry of Sports.

“We took up the issue with the ministry and the minister is aware and we are waiting for the approval.

“There is no way we can host such a tournament without government’s involvement. Government will always be a partner,” said Nyamilandu.

However, Mseka denied knowledge of the issue.

“No. They [FAM] have not communicated to us on the matter. There will definitely have to be an approval from government if they are to host the tournament,” Mseka said.

And reacting to the confusion, Nyamilandu said: “Then there should be a communication breakdown somewhere, but we did take it up with the ministry.”

Meanwhile, Cosafa has said the tournament has been shifted by two weeks because the country will be hosting the African Union (AU) Summit.

Destombes confirmed the shifting of the dates saying the tournament will now run from July 21 to August 4.

“Since Malawi will be hosting the AU from July 10, we have revised the dates of the tournament because the hotels are fully booked.

She also disclosed that Cosafa is finalising the sponsorship talks.

“We are in the process of finalising the deal. Sponsorship should be finalised in the next fortnight,” said Destombes.

And commenting on the venues, Nyamilandu said FAM has still earmarked four venues—Kamuzu and SureStream stadiums in Blantyre, and Civo and Silver in the capital city.

“The format is that the teams will be divided into two groups and the main venues will be Kamuzu and Civo Stadiums, but we will have SureStream and Silver stadiums on standby because we might have to use the venues for the last group matches to avoid determining the outcome,” Nyamilandu said.

The Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup was last hosted by Zimbabwe in 2010 and they won the tournament.