Malawi host Ghana 50 years on

Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification decider against Ghana’s Black Stars will be of huge significance as the Flames will also be commemorating their Golden Jubilee.

Coincidentally, the Flames suffered a devastating 12-0 comprehensive demolition at the hands of the Black Stars in their first international game on October 15 1962.

Apparently, that was the only time Malawi hosted Ghana.

Remnants of the initial Flames side have called on the current squad to sweat blood on Saturday in their quest to turn it around and qualify for the continental showpiece to be staged in South Africa next year as it will be the perfect tonic of commemorating the Golden Jubilee.

Precious Kisyombe and Nathan Gondwe, two of the initial squad members, have said the importance of Saturday’s showdown, cannot be over-emphasised.

Said Kisyombe who is based in Karonga: “I still have bitter-sweet memories of that game because of the significance and the humiliation we suffered. I am hoping that the current squad will make up for that by beating Ghana.”

Kisyombe, who stood between the posts 50 years ago, said he will be at Civo Stadium on Saturday to cheer the Flames having been sponsored by Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).

Kisyombe also recalled that the 1962 match was one-sided.

“We were up against a well-exposed team that had good players such as Ben Kouffie. We just assembled for that game without proper preparations. I remember the one who acted as our coach was Johnstone who was the manager of Mpemba Boys Home,” he recalls.

Gondwe also told ZBS that there is a lot at stake in Saturday’s encounter.

“Apart from commemorating 50 years of international football, we have a chance to qualify for the Nations Cup for the third time, if we beat Ghana. So, it will be an important game for the nation and should we win, then it will be something special,” he said.

Gondwe also said he will travel to Lilongwe from his base in Salima to watch the match courtesy of ZBS.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) commercial manager Casper Jangale said there will be no special event to commemorate the Golden Jubilee due to financial constraints.

“But beating Ghana will be a perfect way to celebrate the Golden Jubilee. As FAM, we are calling on the soccer fraternity to cheer their team for the entire 90 minutes in the quest to turn the tables,” said Jangale.

He also said remnants of the initial Flames squad that faced Ghana in 1962 will be accorded VIP treatment.

Flames vice-captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo said they are prepared to die with their boots on.

“I am touched with the significance of the event and we will respond to the call accordingly. The coincidence is just amazing and it will be great if we beat Ghana on Saturday and qualify,” said Kamwendo.

Apart from Kisyombe and Gondwe, other members of the initial Flames squad included the First Gentleman retired Chief Justice Richard Banda, Stanely Bweya, Demobrey and Smart Thipha, James Sangala [Snr] and Roy Kalitsiro.

Some of the Flames’ achievements in the 50 years include qualifying for the Nations Cup twice [in 1984 and 2010], All Africa Games twice [1977 and 1987] and winning the East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup thrice [in 1978, 1979 and 1988].

In the 50 years, Malawi also produced top players such as the late Cliffton Msiya and Kennedy Malunga who were nominated for CAF Player of the Year award in 1984 and 1987 respectively.