The Flames will have an advantage in the delayed 2024 TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (Chan) first round play-offs as will play both matches against Comoros at home.
This follows the islanders’ request to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to host the Flames at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe because their national stadium is currently banned for international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for failing to meet minimum requirements.
Comoros are scheduled to host the Flames between February 28 and March 2 while the return leg will be played between March 7 and 9.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda on Monday confirmed receipt of Comoros FA’s request.
“Indeed Comoros have asked us to help in arranging their home match against the Flames at Bingu National Stadium because they don’t have a homologated stadium,” he said.
“We have since indicated to them that we are available for that arrangement.”
The Nation established that an economy class return air ticket to Comoros costs about K4.7 million, translating to about K141.2 million for an estimated delegation of 30 which FAM will save in terms of travel costs.
Said Gunda: “One of the things standing on our shoulders is the aspect of travel costs and this means that we will save significantly.
“We will also have an added advantage of playing two matches at home, which will be a big motivation.”
Ministry of Youth and Sports, owners of the facility, confirmed having been communicated to by FAM on the issue.
The ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said: “Yes, we are aware, we got the communication through FAM and we are doing the needful.”
Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa could not be reached for comment on Monday, but Malawi National Football Team technical adviser Kinnah Phiri said in an interview on Monday that the development provides Malawi a big advantage of sailing through.
“You cannot ask more than that. We will play both matches at home and that gives us an edge over Comoros,” he said.
“However, it will not be a stroll in the park. It doesn’t mean that just because we are playing at hom, then we are assured of sailing through, we need to plan and prepare well.”
On the other hand, football analyst Charles Nyirenda said the development be an advantage to an extent.
He said: “If the lads manage the pressure of high expectations, playing both matches at home is quite advantageous.
“Since the domestic Comorian league isn’t as competitive judging by lack of impact made by its teams on the continental level, it basically means that players from our local league have better international experience because the majority of them are also the ones who represent the country as opposed to the Comorians who rely on their foreign Legion for CAF or World Cup matches.”
The winner between Malawi and Comoros will face either South Africa’s Bafana Bafana or the Pharaohs of Egypt over two legs in May.
The last time the two teams met was during the 2023 Cosafa Cup in South Africa where the Flames won 2-0.
The Flames have never qualified for the Chan tournament, which was introduced in 2007 specifically for local-based players.
In the 2022 tournament, Malawi failed to qualify at the last hurdle after being booted out on away goal rule by Mozambique’s Mambas, who held them to a one-all draw at Bingu National Stadium before playing out a goalless draw in Maputo.
