Govt welcomes FAM’s Cosafa tourney withdrawal

Ministry of Youth and Sports has hailed Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for withdrawing from this year’s edition of the Cosafa Cup following the death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a plane clash in Mzimba on Monday.

The 2024 edition of the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup is scheduled for June 26 to July 7 in South Africa and the draw was held yesterday.

A statement from FAM on the withdrawal reads in part:  “Football Association of Malawi [FAM] regrets to inform all its stakeholders and the general public that it has decided not to confirm Malawi’s participation in the Cosafa tournament following the release of the new dates yesterday [13th July 2024].

“Considering the sorrowful atmosphere as the result of the tragic passing of the State Vice-President, Right Honorable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others and the subsequent 21-day mourning period declared by the government, FAM highly considered it insensitive to proceed with our preparations and subsequent participation in the championship.”

It says for that reason, the Malawi National Football Team will not be participating in the tournament this year as a way of showing respect to the souls of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Reacting to FAM’s decision in an interview yesterday, the ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said: “We have not received official communication to that effect, suffice to say as a sports fraternity, we have all been hit by this tragedy considering the departed Vice-President’s huge contribution towards sports.

“So, anything done in his honour is welcome.”

Malawi Naional Council of Sports spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa also said they have not received any communication from FAM regarding the withdrawal.

In its statement, FAM says despite the withdrawal, the association remains  committed to the technical development and growth of the national team.

Reads the statement: “To ensure continued preparation and competitive readiness, we will be arranging a series of international friendly matches in due course.

“We believe that stakeholders and the general public will find merit in our bold decision as we remain steadfast in unity during this difficult period.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the State President, His Excellency, Dr Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera, the bereaved family of Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, families of the eight other people who lost their lives in the same tragedy and the entire nation. “

FAM had planned to send the Under-23 national football team to take part in the tournament, which was already in camp under the tutelage of FCB Nyasa Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa.

Meanwhile, the draw for the tournament was held yesterday and hosts South Africa have been drawn in Group A alongside Mozambique, e-Swatini and Botswana, Group B Zambia, Comoros, Zimbabwe and a yet to be communicated team.

Angola, Namibia, Lesotho and Seychelles make up Group C.

Last year, the Flames qualified for the semi-finals of the regional showpiece for the first time in two decades. They lost the semi-final match to Lesotho’s Likuena 3-0 in post-match penalties after playing out a one-all draw in regulation time.

And in the third-place play-off, Malawi  again lost on post-match penalties 5-3 to South Africa after a goalless draw in regulation time.

The Flames have never won the tournament since its inception in 1997, but have been in the final twice in 2002 and 2003.