National Sports

FAM says Tigers scenario tricky

FAM has conceded that Azam Tigers’ road accident on Sunday could create a tricky scenario in terms of Presidential Cup fixtures as most of their key players need more time to fully recover from their injuries.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said the tournament’s organising committee will determine the way forward.

“As of now, I cannot say much because we are yet to get a formal report from the club on the extent of the injuries. Further to that, we are still consulting them on how best we can proceed in terms of their involvement in the tournament.

“As of now, we have assigned our competitions officer to get in touch with the club’s management,” said Nyirenda.

But Nyirenda expressed doubt on the possibility of shelving Tigers’ fixtures, saying the association is facing a race against time to have the tournament completed by June 29.

However, Tigers general secretary Geoff Kachale and technical director Robin Alufandika said the best options would include giving them special consideration to register other players or put their games on hold.

“We are going to have a board meeting to determine the way forward, but from the look of things, it is going to take four to six weeks for the players to bounce back.

“But my view is that the authorities, in particular FAM should shelve our fixtures until such a time that our players recover fully or indeed give us time to reorganise ourselves since most of our key players sustained injuries during the accident,” said Alufandika.

He also said should there be need, they will consider pulling out of the tournament altogether.

“But that will be the last option depending on the outcome of our meeting and consultations we are having with FAM,” he said.

He also said the players were out of danger and are making steady progress.

“We are thankful to all those who have helped us, in particular staff of Chikhwawa District Hospital

“We are keenly following their progress by checking on them regularly at their homes. Our team doctor Matthews Mangondo is also attending to them,” said Alufandika.

On his part, Kachale, who is also one of the directors, said: “The other option could be giving us a special consideration to strengthen the team by buying some players.

“In normal circumstances, we would have drafted in players from our reserve side, but most of them were poached by Escom United recently.”

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said they were touched to learn of the mishap and wished the injured a quick recovery and promised to render support in any way they can.

The Kau-Kau boys were involved in a serious road accident near Thabwa along Chikhwawa Road.

Some of the players that were injured were Bashir Maunde, Willie Saenda, Stanley Pendame, Mabvuto Chipolopolo, Stanely Sanudi, Bonda Mpinganjira and Yamikani Chester.

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