Cori dangles K5m for Flames victory

Capital Oil Refining Industries (Cori) has set the hype for Monday’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations decisive qualifier by pledging K5 million to the Flames should they beat Uganda’s Cranes.

Malawi will host Uganda’s Cranes at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and a win will see them book a ticket to Cameroon.

A letter from Cori’s managing director Shiraz Karim Nathanie, dated March 26 2021, addressed to the association, partly reads: “As we are all aware, the Flames have a chance to qualify for Afcon if they manage to secure a win on Monday.

“We as Cori would like to pledge K5 million to FAM and the Flames if they qualify for Afcon.

“We would also like to take this chance to applaud the team for their progress thus far and wish them all the best for Monday’s big match.”

Cori sponsorship coordinator Violet Kapolo confirmed the pledge in an interview yesterday, saying: “We want to motivate the Flames to win and qualify for Afcon.

“We hope they are going to give out their best shot and come out victorious.”

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu described the Kukoma cooking oil manufacturer’s pledge as a welcome development.

“The stakes are very high and we need the players to be motivated. Our request is that interested companies and individuals should submit the pledges in writing so that there is order and proper follow up.

“We thank Kukoma for leading the way, but we know that there are others that are also interested to pledge,” he said.