Flames, Zim friendly on May 26
The Football Association of Malawi has announced that Zimbabwe’s Warriors have accepted a request to play the Flames in a strength-testing tie on May 26.
The game will be played at the giant Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Fifa on Tuesday gave the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) the seal of approval to host the forthcoming Flames 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya next month at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Flames are scheduled to host Namibia’s Brave Warriors on June 5 before engaging Kenya’s Harambee Stars a week later in mid-week fixtures.
Relief was the prevalent emotion for Flames caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo and captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo when they got wind of the news.
FAM wrote the world football governing body requesting its approval to host the two crucial games at the giant ailing stadium following a recommendation by the coaching panel that the Flames stand a good chance of doing better there than at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed having received communication from Fifa on Tuesday.
“I can confirm that Fifa has endorsed our request to host the forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers at Kamuzu Stadium with a restricted capacity of 17 000 spectators following the cordoning off of some stands and we will, therefore, print only 17 000 tickets for the two matches.
“This follows a Fifa inspection done by their experienced inspector Adnan El Guindy from Egypt at Kamuzu Stadium on April 21 2013 as well as at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on April 23 2013,” said Nyirenda.
It is expected that the Flames will start camp training on May 13 2013 at Chiwembe Technical Centre in preparation for the two assignments in June and the friendly match against Zimbabwe.
“It goes without saying that FAM will adhere to the security plan that has been drafted by the Malawi Police Service (MPS) and we will ensure that the plan is strictly implemented,” said Nyirenda.
Meanwhile, the association has said it will announce revised gate charges for the two matches, taking into account the reduced capacity of the stadium.
Ng’onamo and Kamwendo were delighted with the news on Tuesday.
