FAM to arrange another friendly

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said it is trying its best to secure another international friendly match for the Flames following the cancellation of the Uganda strength-testing match.

The Flames were scheduled to take on Uganda’s Cranes this Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre as part of their preparations for next month’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final round qualification first leg against Ghana.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu in an interview on Saturday said they are trying hard to arrange another friendly game on August 25 or 26.

“It would be suicidal to face the African giants [Ghana] that reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup without a strength-testing match,” said Nyamilandu.

The Uganda friendly match was cancelled on advice from government following the escalation of the deadly Ebola disease in the East African domain.

Nyamilandu and Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali said the country would have been exposed to health risk had they hosted the Ugandans.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni recently urged people in his country to avoid physical contact after the deadly disease claimed several lives.

Museveni said more than 15 people had died since the outbreak began in Western Kampala.

Museveni further said health officials were trying to trace everyone who had contact with the victims so that they could be quarantined.

“People should avoid shaking hands, kissing or having sex to prevent the disease from spreading,” the Ugandan president was quoted as saying.

Over 15 people have so far died from the disease in Uganda.