CECAFA tales of contradiction
Tales of contradictions have emerged on Flames’ withdrawal as guests from next month’s 2013 Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup with organisers insisting that Malawi has confirmed participation.
Addressing the press in Nairobi, hosts Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) secretary general (SG) Nicholas Musonye jointly confirmed Malawi and Zambia’s involvement fromNovember 27 to December 12.
“I am glad all the 12 Cecafa member countries have confirmed participation and the additional confirmation by the guest countries is such a great boost for us,” Musonye was quoted on Tuesday as saying on www.starafrica.com and several publications.
The Nation could not reach Musonye yesterday. But in a telephone interview from his Kampala, Uganda base, Cecafa media officer Rogers Mulindwa corroborated Musonye’s remarks.
“The deadline for confirmation by the 12-member teams was yesterday. Then we have four non-member countries that have requested participation. Malawi is one of them. Being a regular, Malawi could be among the guest teams of choice,” Mulindwa explained.
But FAM president Walter Nyamilandu, whose executive committee last week resolved against participating in Cecafa due to lack of money, yesterday reiterated that “we have not confirmed neither have we received an invitation…contrary.”
Flames’ failure to travel to Kenya comes against a background that Cecafa sponsors, at least, 18 players’ return air tickets and provides accommodation, Mulindwa confirmed.
FAM says they need money for local camping and allowances. But former FAM technical director Jack Chamangwana said withdrawing from Cecafa Cup was a missed opportunity.
Upon his reappointment last week, Minister of Sports Enoch Chihana assured the nation that government would do everything possible to enable national teams participate in international games.
Chihana’s assurance came when an opposition party in the country offered to bankroll the Flames after FAM ruled out Malawi participation at international competitions due to lack of funds.
