Flames to play China U-23 team

Contrary to reports that the Flames will face China senior national team on May 9, it has established that the hosts will field their Under-23 side, raising questions on the expensive trip’s rationale.

An official at the Chinese Embassy in Lilongwe, Juchao Wang, confirmed last Tuesday that China senior team was unavailable for the Flames.

“The Chinese clubs are preoccupied with league games; hence, all players for the senior team are busy with their clubs. Malawi will play our second national team,” said Wang in an interview.

It is believed that Malawi will send to China a 35-member delegation with the host government meeting part of the travel expenses for the game at a stadium in Jianxin City.

A return fare to China roughly costs K200 000 (about $1 197), translating to K7 million (about $42 000) for the squad, minus allowances and accommodation expenses. The cost-sharing percentage between Malawi and China government is unknown.

“We are waiting for the names of Malawi squad for us to proceed with the flight bookings. This will be a family match meant to strengthen ties between the two countries. We will meet all the expenses while in China. The Embassy here will also facilitate travel arrangements,” said Juchao.

Malawi’s Director of Sports Jameson Ndalama last Tuesday referred questions on the trip to Football Association of Malawi (FAM). The Sports Ministry Principal Secretary Alex Mseka refused to comment on the matter.

The trip to China is perceived to be a wonderful opportunity to prepare the Flames for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup preliminary round qualifiers.

Coach Kinnah Phiri is taking his best available players to China, including Joseph Kamwendo, clubless Esau Kanyenda, Russell Mwafulirwa, Elvis Kafoteka and Limbikani Mzava. The squad begins camp training this weekend.

But the money Flames will blow on China trip’s air travel could be enough to travel to Zambia for a worthwhile friendly match.

As local sport columnist Pilirani Kachinziri rightly observed last week that it could be catastrophic for the Flames to prepare for its forthcoming matches with China since the Chinese playing style cannot benefit Malawi much.

FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, on Tuesday, while admitting that the hosts will parade an Under-23 team, backed the Flames trip to China.

In an earlier unpublished response to a questionnaire last month, Nyirenda said FAM submitted a supplementary budget of K103 million (US$617 000) to government for the Flames’ forthcoming assignments.

“We will review our budget for Kenya game because as expected in the World Cup, we have to meet accommodation, travelling and other expenses in Kenya. The cost of air tickets then is different to what is there today. We are hopeful of submitting the budget which also includes the trip to China within seven days and we are confident that government will come to our rescue,” he said.

Flames are visiting China as part of an exchange programme Malawi and China signed in 2010. The game was rescheduled from April 25 to honour former president Bingu wa Mutharika who died of cardiac arrest.

According to China football website www. teamchina.sports.sohu.com, the China Under-23’s head coach is Ratomir Dujkovic assisted by Jia Xiuquan. Its notable players are Chen Tao, Yu Hai, Zhou Haibin.

The China Olympic team was 2002 and 2006 All Asia Games quarter-finalists. While Malawi is currently ranked 108 by Fifa, China is rated 66th.