Flames AFCON match in Sudan

South Sudan Football Federation has opted to host Malawi at Khartoum Stadium in Sudan following the closure of the Bright Stars’  home ground Juba National Stadium.

The Stars have been playing their matches in neighbouring countries following the collapse of their home ground last year.

The facility is currently  undergoing renovations.

They played their 2022 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Uganda at Nyayo Stadium in Kenya where they beat the Cranes 1-0.

However, this time the Bright Stars have opted to play the match against the Flames in Khartoum, according to Confederation of African (CAF) fixtures schedule.

Meanwhile, FAM has presented a K183 million budget to Malawi National Council of Sports for the Flames’ remaining 2022 Afcon qualifiers.

The budget has a K33 million deficit.

The association was allocated K300 million for the current fiscal year, but it used half the amount for the back-to-back qualifiers against Burkina Faso last year.

The Nation has established that K150 million is remaining for the Flames’ programmes.

FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda confirmed the shortfall, but said they are currently working on raising the money through other sources ahead of next month’s qualifiers against South Sudan away and Uganda at home.

“Our budget for the away match against South Sudan is estimated at K140 million while the home match against Uganda is pegged at K43 million and the total is K183 million.

“Basically, there is a contribution which FAM makes through other sources such as funding from Fifa and we are hopeful that we will raise the remainder,” he said.

On the justification of the  K140 million budget for the Sudan trip, the FAM GS said: “Covid-19 has affected flight operations such that we have to use longer routes which are expensive. There are also  other Covid-19 travel conditions that we have to meet.”

Sports Council acting executive secretary Henry Mereka confirmed discussing the issue with  FAM.

“I cannot remember their [FAM] balance off-hand, but  is is lower compared to their allocation balance.

“But the expectation is that they will fund the shortfall through other sources, but should there be need for our intervention, then we will see what we can do,” he said.

The Flames will face South Sudan’s Bright Stars away on March 24 before hosting Uganda’s Cranes at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre five days later.

The national football team is already in camp in preparation for the two matches which will determine their date with destiny.

Malawi are third in the group with four points, four behind leaders Burkina Faso and three below second-placed Uganda.

South Sudan anchor the four-team group with three points.