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Flames replica jerseys in today

At long last! The long-awaited Flames Moto replica consignment is expected in the country this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) round of 16 match against Morocco’s Atlas Lions.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) missed the end of year deadline to have the replicas in the country to raise the hype for the Afcon tournament.

Captain Limbikani Mzava (R), vice-captain John Banda (L) and Khuda Muyaba in Flames’ new kits

The association’s marketing and commercial director Limbani Matola confirmed in an interview yesterday that the replicas will arrive through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.

He said: “They are expected in tomorrow [today] by Ethiopian Airlines which will touch down at KIA at 12.40pm.”

“By noon on Tuesday, all our authorised distributors in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu will have been stocked.”

Matola said the replica jerseys will be selling at K28 000 each.

A Blantyre-based Flames fan Patrick Msowoya yesterday said he is hoping that the replicas will indeed be on the market by tomorrow.

He said: “I have been waiting for the new replicas since December and I had given up hope. Nevertheless, I hope they will have them cleared by close of business tomorrow [today], so that they can hit the market by tomorrow [Tuesday].

“As I will be watching the match against Morocco, I want to be in a Flames jersey and I cannot wait.”

Football marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya Sapao also said FAM can still salvage something from the replicas.

“Of course, looking at how the team has performed so far, the fans have been denied an opportunity to identify themselves with their team and FAM has also lost out on revenue opportunity.

“All the same, better late than never. It is unfortunate that FAM faced hurdles along the way and understandably, the challenges are global as regards importation of products

“Hopefully, they will clear them for distribution and have them on the market in good time as the demand for the replica jerseys is high due to the team’s unexpected impressive performance in Cameroon.

“I just pray that pricing and distribution is done fairly so that fans can access them nationwide.”

In a statement released two weeks ago, FAM said the production of Flames kits and replicas was commissioned in China and Vietnam following the unveiling of the new kit at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on October 29 during the Kuipatsa Moto Flames VVIP Dinner hosted by President Lazarus Chakwera.

“Although we experienced production delays in both sites, shipment was embarked early December with the view of having the new kit by end December.

“However, we faced considerable delays with the delivery of consignments due to a backlog of shipments overseas arising from Covid-19 complications.”

top position followed by Charity Msuku and Chifundo Chanza on second and third.

They received K250 000, K195 000 and K175 000 respectively.

In acknowledgement of their feat, Nundwe promoted the six athletes to the rank of corporal.

NBS Bank said they sponsor the tournament because most of the soldiers are their customers. “We partner with MDF as a way of thanking them for the support we get from them, as they bank with us,” said the bank’s senior officer Gracious Changaya.

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