Flames’ replicas miss deadline
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has missed the end of year deadline to have Flames replicas in the country ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Cameroon to raise the hype.
FAM commercial and marketing director Limbani Matola told The Nation on November 30 that they were expecting the first consignment of the Flames’ new Moto replicas to arrive between December 25 and 31 from Thailand and Vietnam.
Matola said the consignment delayed due to logistical challenges due to Covid-19 beyond their control, but they were certain to have the consignment before the Flames’ departure for the continental showpiece.
However, FAM issued a statement on Thursday to clarify the position of the replica jerseys.
Reads the statement in part: “The Football Association of Malawi would like to inform the general public that following the unveiling of the new kit at the State House in Lilongwe on 29th October 2021, production of kits and replicas was commissioned in China and Vietnam. Although we experienced production delays in both sites, shipment was embarked early December with the view to having the new kit by end December .
“However, we are facing considerable delays with delivery of the consignments due to a backlog of shipments overseas arising from Covid-19 complications. This is beimg experienced after several efforts to fast-track shipments of the connsignment through courier services.”
FAM has since apologised for not providing the new kits and replicas in time for the Afcon which kicks off on Sunday.
Football analyst George Kaudza Masina said FAM has missed an opportunity to maximise revenue.
He said: “With the Afcon hype gathering momentum, the period between Flames camping [in Saudi Arabia] and the Afcon tournament would have been the best to have the replicas on the market.
“In fact, Malawians, who follow the Flames, are being denied an opportunity to identify themselves with their national team. “The situation reflects badly on FAM marketing department as the picture being painted is that they do not know what they are doing. Covid is everywhere, but life must go on.”
