FAM hunting for friendlies
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it will organise two friendly matches for the Flames in case the 2020 Cosafa Cup fails to take place in Durban, South Africa.
Though Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) has set October 2-17 as the dates for the regional tournament, it is yet to confirm the competition since the host country is still on lockdown with its borders closed.
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said the association has a plan B in case the Cosafa Cup flops.
He said: “What we are saying is that the Flames should at least play two international friendly matches on Fifa international friendly matches’ dates between October 7 and 15.
“If the Cosafa Cup goes ahead as planned, fine.But in the event that it fails to take place, that will be our plan B.”
FAM wants to use either the Cosafa Cup or the two friendly matches to prepare for the back-to-back 2022 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifiers against Burkina Faso away on November 9 and at home on November 17.
The Flames are expected to go into camp next week in preparation for the Cosafa Cup after government partially lifted a ban on football activities.
Cosafa deputy chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said they are still waiting for South Africa government on reopening of borders.
“We are still keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.
Interestingly, other Cosafa members, including the hosts South Africa have arranged international friendly matches within the Fifa international matches dates.
South Africa will play against Namibia and Zambia while Mozambique are set to play against The Gambia in Portugal.
