Confederation of African Football (CAF) has accepted FAM’s request to shift dates of the Flames’ upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations’ (Afcon) qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.
Initially, the Flames were scheduled to host the Walyas of Ethiopia on June 2 before travelling to Guinea to face the Syli Nationale (National Elephants)on June 6.
But Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said in an interview yesterday that the Ethiopia match will now be played on June 5 while the game against Guinea has been pushed to June 9.
He said the request was made to give foreign-based players time to join the team.
Said Zakazaka: “The period was too short for the players to leave their bases and join the squad in time.”
Flames coach Mario Marinica said he is happy that CAF has accommodated the request.
He said: “I am very much aware of the changes. Actually, I proposed the dates in liaison with the Ethiopian technical director, FAM president [Walter Nyamilandu] and an official from CAF after observing that it would be problematic in terms of players’ travel.
“So, it is not only us benefiting because they are also using our [Bingu] stadium and their players will also be required to travel.”
Ethiopia will host Egypt at Bingu National Stadium on June 9 after CAF banned their national stadium for failing to meet some of the minimum requirements.
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