Flames face fixture clash
Malawi National Football Team has found itself in an awkward situation after it emerged that the 2026 World Cup qualifiers dates will clash with the 2024 Cosafa Cup.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the calendar for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Match Day 3 and 4 which shows that the Flames will host Sao Tome’s Warriors of the Equator in a World Cup qualifier at Bingu National Stadium on June 6 before flying to Equatorial Guinea four days later to face the National Thunder on June 10.
On the other hand, the regional Council for Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Senior Challenge Cup will kick off on June 12 to June 23 in South Africa.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka in an interview yesterday said they will consider sending a developmental side to Cosafa Cup.
He said: “CAF has today released the calendar for the World Cup matches, we play at home on June 6 and away on June 10. It is practical if we plan well and if we know the exact dates for Cosafa Cup matches because the June 12 may not be the exact date we start our matches.
“The scheduling is really hectic, but we will wait for the Cosafa Cup draw and fixture to plan accordingly with a consideration of having a developmental side.”
In an interview coach Patrick Mabedi said he is consulting FAM on how to work around the challenge.
He said: “It’s a bit complicated, considering the travel challenges when playing in Central Africa.
“Obviously, it’s minimum of two days in transit. So, playing in Equatorial Guinea on June 11 and then proceeding to South Africa for the Cosafa Cup will be a challenge. But we will find a solution.”
One option is for Malawi to borrow a leaf from other Cosafa bloc members such South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zambia who send developmental teams to the Cosafa Cup.
Most of foreign-based players from these countries never participate in the Cosafa Cup.
But Mabedi, who last year had a full-strength squad at Cosafa Cup, said they will weigh the options.
“I have plan A and plan B. We will consider all the options available bearing in mind the purpose of the Cosafa Cup,” he said.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said FAM should consider sending a developmental side to Cosafa Cup.
He said: “Let the coach concentrate on the World Cup qualifiers with his main team.
“The Cosafa Cup has always been a developmental tournament, so let’s treat it as such.”
The Flames are fourth in the World Cup Group H. Tunisia lead with six points, Equatorial Guinea also have six points but lie second, Namibia are third with three points. Liberia and Sao Tome are fifth and sixth with no point.
Malawi started the campaign with 1-0 victory over Liberia in Monrovia, but lost by the same margin to Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles at Bingu National Stadium.
Last year, Malawi finished fourth at Cosafa Cup after reaching competition’s the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years.
