National Sports

Chinese team warns Flames

 

Guangzhou R and F Football Club has warned the Flames not to underestimate them when the two sides clash on Saturday at the Bingu National Stadium to mark the official opening of the facility.

The Chinese top tier club coach Dragan Stojkovic made the warning on Thursday at the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) soon after landing.

The 50-member delegation landed at KIA exactly 14:44 aboard an Ethiopian Airlines plane donning blue jumpers and black bottoms.

The Chinese ambassador to Malawi Shi-Ting Wang and chief director in the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Joseph Mwandida welcomed the team at the VVIP lounge.

Guangzhou players upon arrival at Kamuzu International
Airport in Lilongwe

“We cannot lose to your team because we play technical football. People should expect good technical football,” said the Serbian coach who joined the club on August 24, 2016.

He, however, expressed delight to be in Malawi to play a part in the opening of the new stadium.

“It is a pleasure to be here and we thank the Malawian people for the warm welcome. We will use the game as part of the preparations for the new season,” he said.

The team finished sixth in the Chinese Super League last season.

Israel International striker Eran Zahav is one of the players in the team. He was voted Israel player of the year in 2013 and 2014.

Despite drawing 1-1 against Kamuzu Barracks on Wednesday, Flames coach Gerald Phiri still believes the team is in good shape to get a good result against the Chinese club.

“’We are ready for them and soccer fans should expect some good attacking football from us,” he said

On his part, Chinese ambassador Shi-Ting said the friendly match will help cement relationship between the two countries.

“Sports has been the uniting factor across the world. It cuts between races and ethnic differences. The coming of the Chinese club will further center our already blossoming friendship,” said Wang. n

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