Flames to relocate to grass ground

Flames are expected to relocate from the Kamuzu Stadium artificial turf to a grass training ground ahead of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ghana.

The first leg of the final qualifying round will be played on a grass pitch at an Accra Stadium on September 8, hence the Flames’ relocation, coach Kinnah Phiri said on Wednesday.

“I am going to book a ground, we might certainly move to Moneymen Ground today. It does affect players when you train on an astro turf and end up playing on a grass pitch. On grass pitch there are bound to be some bumps while on an artificial turf, the ball just rolls, so we have to readjust our play” Kinnah explained.

Flames, who have welcomed Moses Chavula and Dave Banda, will stop over on September 4 in Liberia for a tune up match before proceeding to Accra.

Meanwhile, Ghana, too, have elected to play Liberia in a strength building match for the return match in Malawi, according to Ghana press reports. Ghana will, after meeting Malawi, travel to Liberia.

But Ghana’s top striker Asamoah Gyan has excused himself from the Liberia strength building match.

Kinnah said the Black Stars’ decision to prepare for the return leg in Blantyre with Liberia shows that the Liberians are a strong side.

“May be they have also heard that we will play Liberia,” he said.