FAM says it has welcomed Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) move to postpone the qualifiers of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
Malawi’s Scorchers were expected to face Zambia’s She-polopolo in the first round next month.
But according to a communique from the continental football governing body, the qualifiers have been postponed due to poor conditions of some stadia.
Part of the letter from CAF, signed by its deputy general secretary Anthony Baffoe, reads: “CAF Organising Committee of women’s football decided to postpone the qualifiers of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022 in line with the postponement of the men’s World Cup qualifiers.
“The reasons for the postponement were based on the actual conditions of certain stadiums in Africa and the restrictions related to Covid-19.”
The communique states that the first round matches will now take place during the Fifa window of October 18 to 26 while the second round will be played in the window of February 14 to 23 2022.
Reacting to the development, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said: “It makes sense and augurs well with us after a long lay off due to Covid-19.
“We also needed a full house as we were not guaranteed the availability of [China-based] Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga due to new Covid-19 restrictions that have been imposed in China.”
However, the Scorchers had their morning training session yesterday as they were yet to be briefed on the developments by FAM.
