FAM panics overFlames preps

FAM has expressed fear that any further delays towards the Flames programme could be a recipe for disaster ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Brave Warriors of Namibia.

The Flames are scheduled to face the Brave Warriors—a side they have never beaten in a competitive game—on March 22 away in Windhoek.

And of great concern to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu is the fact that the mid-term budget review that covers supplementary budget is yet to be approved.

“We are already affected now and any further delays could be recipe for disaster.

“As stated earlier, the plans are that the team should go into camp [on Sunday], but as the situation stands, it is uncertain because our supplementary budget has not yet been approved.

“Ministry are still checking with Treasury and promised to revert on the matter,” said Nyamilandu.

He also said in the absence of government funding, FAM does not visualise any funding to meet the team’s programme.

Nyamilandu also said if everything goes according to plan, South Africa-based deputy caretaker coaches, Ernest Mtawali and Patrick Mabedi, are expected to arrive in the country at the weekend.

“We are hoping to communicate the offers to the caretaker coaching panel today and we hope they can come over the weekend so that they can be formally unveiled early next week, but again that is also subject to confirmation of funding which [also depends on the] supplementary funding being approved,” said Nyamilandu.

However, Malawi National Council of Sports executive secretary George Jana said the Flames supplementary funding might delay because FAM has been asked to include the caretaker coaching panel’s allowances.

“Of course, government is aware of the national soccer team’s supplementary budget request, but we have asked them [FAM] to include the issue of the caretaker coaches,” said Jana.

He also dismissed fears that the process could take long because government was already aware of the issue.

“It’s not like it will be the first time that the issue [of supplementary budget] will be presented,” said Jana.

Initially, caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo proposed to have the team start training on Monday this week, but his proposal has failed to materialise.