Flames tailor made uniform, replica jerseys in

At long last. The eagerly-awaited Flames’ tailor-made Umbro kit and replica jerseys arrived in the country at the weekend ahead of the launch at College of Medicine Sports Complex in Blantyre tomorrow.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Sundayconfirmed the arrival of the first consignment of Umbro equipment which has already been cleared.

“The agreed initial replica jerseys’ consignment was 5 000, but for the time being they have sent 1 500. The tailor-made uniform for the Flames has also been sent,” said Nyirenda.

However, Nyirenda said other details pertaining to the equipment such as the price for the replicas will be unveiled at the launch where Umbro officials will also be in attendance.

The replica jerseys are expected to be on sale from Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s2015 Africa Cup of Nations Group B qualifier against Algeria’s Desert Foxes.

“Apart from Umbro officials, national team players, there will also be other special guests from government, Flames official sponsors Carlsberg Malawi and other sponsors, the corporate world and the football fraternity,” he said.

The launch will include a symbolic three-year contract signing ceremony.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said last month that FAM already paid K50 million to Umbro as part of the deal.

The country’s football governing body switched to Umbro following mutual termination of technical sponsorship deal with Puma early this year.

Puma terminated the contract due to a breach of contract on the part of FAM.

However, the FAM president claims that the deal with Umbro is flexible, which will ensure they adhere to the agreement.

In recent games, the Flames were wearing black and red stripped kit, similar to that of Italian giants AC Milan that drew criticism from certain quarters.