Flames secure Tanzania friendly

FAM has finally secured an international friendly match for the Flames against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars en route to Kenya for their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier against Harambee Stars.

The Flames are scheduled to meet Kenya on June 2 in Nairobi.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda on Sunday confirmed sealing the build-up match with their Tanzanian counterparts.

“I can now confirm that we have finalised negotiations with the Tanzanian FA. They have accepted to play us on May 26. We had also been talking to Uganda FA, but the Tanzanian FA was forthcoming.

“We believe the match will be of huge benefit because it will enable the coach [Kinnah] Phiri to assess foreign-based players and try different combinations,” said Nyirenda.

He also said there are possibilities that while in Tanzania, the Flames could play a training game against a top club Simba.

The FAM CEO also said if all goes according to plan, the team is scheduled to leave the country on May 24 for Dar es Salaam.

Kinnah said the Flames stand to benefit from the strength-testing match as Kenya and Tanzania play the same type of football.

He also said the squad is expected to resume training this Monday morning.

Meanwhile, the Flames will require over K70 million to fulfil their 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations engagements.

Nyirenda said a supplementary budget was already submitted to government and they are awaiting response.

He also said foreign-based players are expected to arrive early next week.

“We expect to have a full arsenal as most of the players will be on off-season break from this weekend,” said Nyirenda.