FAM laughs off Mabedi’s concerns on preparations

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says Flames coach Patrick Mabedi needs to adjust and move with time on camping period.

The association said this in reaction to what the Malawi National Football Team coach said when he named his squad during a press conference on Friday that he will only have a single day of proper training before hosting the Swallows of Burundi on Thursday in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said in an interview yesterday that none of the African teams had regrouped before the weekend in preparation for the qualifiers.

“FAM  executive committee resolved that the national team should be camping seven days before a match and that’s the practice world over, why should Malawi be special?” he wondered.

Zakazaka also said in contrast to the coach’s claims that the team would only have proper training on Tuesday, the Flames already had their first session on Saturday in Lilongwe.

He said: “Except for foreign-based and FCB Nyasa Bullets players, 15 players are already in camp and they underwent medical tests on Saturday morning and then loosened up in the afternoon.

“They will train again this morning [Sunday] at Bishop McKenzie School and will continue training for the next three days ahead of the game on Thursday, so in essence, there is no issue.”

During a press conference, Mabedi said he expects the team to struggle a bit against Burundi due to inadequate time for preparations.

He said: “Monday is for medical and then on the eve of the game [Wednesday] it is just for loosening up, which means we’ll only train once [ on Tuesday].

“It is something that has never happened. It  will be the first time and I am not happy. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. So, it is what it is.”

After Thursday’s match, the Flames will switch focus to their second qualifier against the Stallions of Burkina Faso scheduled for September 10 in Ouagadougou.