Let my success flow to the Flames—Walter
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has urged the Flames to replicate his recent success at the Fifa Council elections when they face Cameroon in the two-legged African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers away on October 12 and at home on October 16.
He made the statement on Tuesday after visiting the national football team during a training session at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre upon his arrival from Egypt, where he defied the odds to win the Fifa Council membership seat at the expense of South Africa football boss Danny Jordaan.
At the elections, Nyamilandu was considered an underdog, but he pulled a surprise win after amassing 35 votes against Jordaan’s 18 following a second round of voting. Similarly, the Flames are pitied against African champions, whose squad has 22 overseas players of which 10 play in the world’s top-five national leagues.
“The national team has to improve. The fact that I have won elections at Fifa Council means I have led the way. It should be a source of inspiration for the Flames that they can also do well. It will do us good that when we play against Cameroon we should succeed and I have no doubt,” said Nyamilandu.
He was met by a group of Flames supporters on arrival at Chileka International Airport who accompanied him to the stadium.
“While my name is there in Fifa and Malawi is shining in the glory, we also want the national team to produce the same good results. This is the time to win the faith of Malawians, who are hungry for the Flames’ success, they want good results.”
Flames coach Ronny van Geneugden and vice-captain John Lanjesi described Nyamilandu’s visit as a big motivation to the national team players in their preparations.
“We are greatly inspired by his visit. For the FAM boss to drive straight from the airport and visit us in training is something we cannot take for granted; we will do our best to succeed in our next assignment,” Lanjesi said. n
