Flames miss Manganya’s fat cheque
The own goal against Kenya on Wednesday saw the Flames missing over K500 000 (about $1 250) dangled by renowned actor Michael Usi aka Manganya.
The Flames were on course to land half a million kwacha until the dying minutes, when they conceded an own goal to draw 2-2 with the Harambee Stars in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Manganya had offered K250 000 (about $625) for the first goal, an additional K50 000 (about $125) and a K20 000 (about $50) shopping voucher from Devraj to the scorer.
He also pledged K50 000 for the subsequent goals up to K1.2 million (about $3 000) on condition that the Flames won the game. He made a further K150 000 pledge to the goalkeeper if he did not concede a goal, but Charles Swini let in two.
“The gesture was aimed at inspiring the team and when we were 2-1 up with regulation time over, I felt we had done it, but unfortunately there was to be a sting in the tail,” said Manganya.
But the Flames will find solace in FAM’s move to reward them with K50 000 each for the draw.
FAM had pledged K100 000 (about $250) extra to each player for a win.
“We will give them half down because it was our commitment,” said FAM president Walter Nyamilandu.
Meanwhile, midfielder Chimango ‘BlackBerry’ Kayira, who scored into his own net, on Thursday said he was still failing to come to terms with the painful reality.
The sky fell on Kayira in injury time when he mistakenly headed the ball into his own net to leave the turnout stunned.
“I could not believe it, especially having given my best shot after being thrown in as a substitute. I meant to clear the ball, but somehow I misjudged my header,” said Kayira.
