Chakwera token excites flames
Flames captain Limbikani Mzava has said the K1 million reward from President Lazarus Chakwera as a token of appreciation for qualifying for Afcon is a big motivation to the players.
The President has rewarded Malawi National Football Team players who started the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification decisive match against Uganda Cranes and coach Meck Mwase with K1 million each.
In an interview from his base in South Africa yesterday, Mzava said: “When I heard about it, I could not believe it because this has never happened before.
“This is a big motivation ahead of the actual tournament and it will inspire us a lot.”
Malawi beat Uganda 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre to sail through after finishing as runners-up in Group B to Burkina Faso’s Stallions.
Players who were on the bench received K700 000 each while those in civilian got K350 000 each.
The President also rewarded the members of the technical panel with K250 000 each.
In an interview, Presidential press secretary Brian Banda said the President used VVIP hospitality budget to reward the Flames.
He said: “The President invited the team in his capacity as the President of the Republic of Malawi to congratulate them and wish them well in successive encounters.
“They deserve to be honoured with a token of appreciation as per discretion and determination of the President using the VVIP hospitality budget line.”
Chakwera hosted the triumphant Flames to a luncheon at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday to celebrate their feat
The Flames players got their normal K500 000 bonuses each for the win, but FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said the association will prepare a special package for the feat.
“Most certainly the players will be rewarded for the achievement.
“We will discuss as an executive committee and announce very soon the reward. This is our commitment,” he said.
The Flames players will also share K5 million from Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori).
FDH Bank plc, who are official sponsors for the national team, also pledged K3 million for the players with each taking home K100 000.
