Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will seek compensation for the costs it incurred in preparing for the Flames’ 2026 World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea which did not take place.
The Malawi National Football Team was supposed to host Nzalang Nacionale last Thursday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, but the visitors did not show up, leading to the cancellation of the Group H qualifier.
In an interview on Tuesday, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said: “As per the provisions in the rules and regulations, we are exploring on submitting a reimbursement claim on the costs incurred in preparing for the match.”
However, he said they are yet to determine the actual amount.
Said Zakazaka: “Since we were planning on two assignments, the other being Monday’s qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe in Tunisia, we have to analyse what is claimable and what is not.”
Article 5.5 of the competition’s rules and regulations under withdrawal, unplayed and abandoned matches states that: “Any participating member association that withdraws or whose behaviour is liable for a match not being played or being abandoned, may be ordered by Fifa to reimburse Fifa, the host association or any other participating member association for any expenses incurred as a result of its behaviour in such cases.
“The association concerned may also be ordered by Fifa to pay compensation for any damages incurred by Fifa, the host association or any other participating member association.”
According to thesun.co.uk, Equatorial Guinea players refused to travel for the match due to disagreements over logistics.
The online publication reported that while there was initial tension between the Equatorial Guinea players and officials, the main problem was the unforeseen travel complications.
It said players were told on Wednesday night that they would fly to Malawi in the morning of the match day.
“However, after breakfast, the Equatorial Guinea players were informed the flight was moved to the afternoon, meaning they would arrive just before kick-off without any time to rest and were expected to change into their kit on the plane and head straight to the stadium from the airport,” reads the article.
“The Equatorial Guinea players ‘refused’ the arrangement before calling for a meeting, where they decided not to travel under those conditions. As a result, the match was cancelled and communicated to Malawi during lunch.”
Fifa has since punished Equatorial Guinea by ordering it to pay a fine of CHF 10 000 (about K22 million) for its failure to show up for the match.
The world football governing body also awarded the match to the Flames by a 3-0 margin win.
Fifa has ordered that the fine should be paid within 30 days from October 9.
