Flames squad tests negative for Covid-19

The Flames on Sunday got a timely boost ahead of tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against Morocco when all squad members tested negative for Covid-19.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed the development in an interview last evening.

He said: “It is a big boost ahead of the crucial match on Tuesday.

“It means the coach and his backroom staff will have all the players available.

“They can now plan on the game approach and tactics without worrying about the absence of some players as it was against Guinea.”

The Flames played their first group match against the Syli Nationale without eight players and interim coach Marian Mario Marinica after testing positive for the virus.

Malawi lost the match 1-0 and FAM attributed the loss to the absence of some players.

Ahead of the second match against Zimbabwe’s Warriors, all the players re-tested negative, but Marinica again tested positive.

Assistant coach Meck Mwase was temporarily in charge for the two matches until Marinica recovered in time for the last group match against Senegal’s Lions of Teranga. Meanwhile, fellow Southern Africa side Comoros will face hosts Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions without six players and their coach after testing positive for the virus.