Flames travel in two groups

Malawi national football team, the Flames, will travel to Kampala, Uganda in two groups for Tuesday’s international friendly against the Cranes at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole.

The first group comprising five players and three officials leaves today while the rest of the squad will fly out tomorrow, according to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda.

He said the team is travelling in two groups due to flight complications.

“It was impossible to book the whole squad in one flight, so we had to split the team into two groups with the first leaving earlier while the main group will travel on the initially scheduled date,” he said.

Meanwhile, team manager James Sangala said the change on the itinerary would not have an effect on the team’s preparations.

“The good thing is that the first group will leave tomorrow evening after completing the day’s training session. So, they will not miss anything as far preparations are concerned,” he said.

Sangala said all foreign-based players Robin Ngalande, Frank Banda, John Banda, Charles Swini, Richard Mbulu, Dalitso Sailesi and captain Limbikani Mzava, except Platinum Stars duo of Robert Ng’ambi and Gerald Phiri, who excused themselves, are available for the strength testing match.

Coach Ronny Van Geneugden is using the international friendly to prepare for the South Africa Cosafa Cup in May and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers which resume in September.

Uganda first face West Africans Sao Tome and Principe tomorrow before playing the Flames on Tuesday.

Captain Denis Onyango of Mamelodi Sundowns will lead the Cranes in the two international friendly matches.