Flames dedicate vital draw to flood victims, Chakwera salutes players

The Flames have dedicated their spirited performance against the continent’s top-ranked team Senegal on Tuesday at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon  to flood victims in the country.

Malawi punched above their weight to hold the Teranga Lions to a goalless draw to boost their last 16 qualification chances.

The Senegalese, boasting world-class stars such as Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouardo Mendy, were ranked odds-on favourites, but found it hard against the Flames, who put up a five-star tactical display.

Flames coach Marian Mario Marinica said: “We got a deserved draw.

“This flooding, which has affected many people, is a cause for concern.

“We feel with our brothers and sisters. We are with them in our thoughts and we dedicate this performance to them.”

President Lazarus Chakwera saluted the Flames after the match.

In a video call to the team on Tuesday night, the President said:  “I want you to know we are proud of you. Your unwavering spirit and tenacity raised the country’s flag high.

“Whatever happens, walk with your heads high up for the future is bright.

Meanwhile, government spokesperson Gospel Kazako, who is also Minister of Information, has defended Chakwera’s K1 million pledge to every player should the Flames make it to the last 16.

He was responding to a BBC reporter’s question on whether it was proper for the President to make the offer considering that the money could be used to alleviate challenges such as economic hardships, food and drug shortage.

In response, Kazako said: “You have to know that we have a culture of doing things here. We have a way of doing what we do and those comments are very unfortunate.

“We accept that we are poor, yes. But we are not poor to the extent that we cannot give or exchange gifts. It could be animals, it could be land or money. The thinking that this is wrong because we have problems is very retrogressive.

“I think this story is somehow smelling some fragrance of imperialism of some nature. Because these things happens in America, it happen in Britain there. So, accept that this is the way we do things.”