Flames undergo last Covid-19 test before Zambia trip
Malawi national football team players yesterday underwent the last Covid-19 test before the Flames depart for Lusaka, Zambia on Sunday for an international friendly against Chipolopolo slated for October 5 at Nkoloma Stadium.
The test follows guidelines set by Zambia Airport Corporation for all those travelling into that country for business or pleasure.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
“They want negative tests to be presented at the airport in Zambia. The certificates should be fresh, done at least 14 days before the trip. Since the players were last tested 11 days ago, they need to undergo fresh tests,” he said.
Part of a statement from Zambia Airport Corporation reads: “Business travellers coming for business into the country with a negative test, conducted within the previous 14 days, are free to conduct their business as planned while adhering to recommended Covid-19 prevention measures such as maintaining physical distance, masking and personal hygiene.
“They shall monitor themselves daily for 14 days for the development of Covid-19 symptoms and report any occurrence to nearest health facility. Business travellers coming into the country without evidence of negative test conducted within the previous 14 days will not be allowed. Random tests of negative passengers will also be conducted upon arrival at the airport.”
Meanwhile, FAM is confident that the results will come out negative for all the members of the team, including technical panel and officials.
The last time the team underwent the test, two players and two officials tested positive.
Three of the four tested negative in the latest test while one is yet to recover and is in isolation.
After the Zambia match, the Flames will then host the Warriors of Zimbabwe at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on October 11.
The international friendlies are part of preparations for the team’s assignments in next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) back-to-back qualifiers against Burkina Faso’s Stallions.
