‘Don’t be big-headed’, FAM warns Flames
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has warned the Flames players against becoming big-headed following praises and gifts from well-wishers for their spirited performance at the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon.
He said they should instead aim at achieving great things such as winning the Championship of African Nations (Chan).
The FAM president issued the warning on Friday evening during the Flames’ home coming dinner at the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre where Airtel Malawi plc gave Flames players smart-phones and Internet bundles worth over K10 million.
“Let’s not be big-headed, but be focused on the tasks that are ahead of us. Let’s be humble and hungry for more success,” he said.
Nyamilandu further said the praises and the gifts the Flames have received is a good sign that Malawians love football and are ready to give it their full support if they see good results.
He said: “Honestly, before the Flames’ sojourn at the Afcon finals, I didn’t know Malawians love football this much. So many individuals and corporate entities came out of a cocoon to support the Flames because we did well.
“Let me take this opportunity to urge companies and other football loving Malawians not to wait for the team to bring results first before coming in with the support.
“They have to borrow a leaf from the likes of FDH Bank plc and Airtel, who have been supporting the Flames right from the beginning of the Afcon campaign. Alongside TNM plc, they also bankroll domestic competitions.”
The FAM president further said the national football team did well at the continental showpiece not because they had money as the driving force, but the hunger to make history.
In response, Flames captain Limbikani Mzava said they are aware of the tough assignments ahead and they will do their best to raise their performance gauge.
He said: “We have really enjoyed the love that Malawians have showered on us after our display at the Afcon finals.
“This is something that needs to be appreciated by going an extra mile in search for greater achievements. We will not get carried away by making the round of 16. We are hungry for more.”
FDH Bank deputy managing director George Chitera and Airtel Malawi managing director Charles Kamoto said they will continue doing their best to make the Flames a winning brand.
Upon their home-coming on Friday, the Flames got a heroes’ welcome at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre from fans, who braved the rains.
