FAM says fatigue could take toll on Flames

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is worried that fatigue could take a toll on the Flames ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Guinea in Conakry tomorrow.

The Flames arrived in the Guinean capital at about 4.45pm yesterday after spending a night in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The team left just a day after their opening qualifier against Ethiopia which they won 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said: “It is a tight schedule and the players will definitely have jet lag after such a long flight.

“They will loosen up after a brief rest later today [yesterday] and will train tomorrow [today] when they are expected to get the feel of the match venue.”

Put to him that it is not only the Flames that have a tight schedule, he said: “Of course, but we don’t have the luxury of chartering flights like our colleagues.

“Nevertheless, we expect the technical team to come up with  an ideal recovery arrangement.”

Flames striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango said before departure that while fatigue could pose a challenge, they expected to recover by tomorrow.

Malawi top Group D with three points. They are tied on points with Egypt’s Pharaohs, but the Flames have a better goal aggregate which gives them the bragging rights.

The match, which is scheduled to kick off at 9pm, will be played at General Lansana Conte Stadium.