Govt releases Flames funding

Malawi Government on Tuesday finally released funding for the Flames trip to Mali and the team was scheduled to fly out later at midnight to Nairobi en-route to Bamako.

The Flames will set out their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations’ group qualifiers against the Eagles of Mali this Saturday.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu confirmed that government released the funding and they were finalising logistical issues related to the trip.

“I spoke to the Minister of Youth and Sports (Grace Chiumia) as well as the PS (principal secretary) Justin Saidi yesterday and all is set for the trip,” said the FAM president

However, while the Flames are assured of their foreign arsenal for the encounter, they will be without industrious midfielder John ‘CJ’ Banda, who according to team liaison officer James Sangala, picked an injury last week.

CJ, who is one of the key players for the Flames has scored vital goals in crucial moments. He has so far scored four goals in 10 appearances for the Flames.

His last goal was in the third-round preliminary return leg against Benin which the Flames won 1-0 and had to be decided through the dreaded penalty shoot-out in which Malawi emerged triumphant.

His brother Frank, another regular midfielder, is also out as he is still serving a red card suspension.

He also said striker Gastin Simkonda has also failed to make the trip as he did not train with the team after returning from South Africa where he went for talks with at Black Leopards.

Meanwhile, midfielder Joseph Kamwendo was the first foreign-based player to join the squad on Sunday.

The rest—defenders Limbikani Mzava and Harry Nyirenda, midfielders Robert Ng’ambi, Robin Ngalande and Chimango Kayira and strikers Atusaye Nyondo, Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango and Chiukepo Msowoya—are expected to join the squad in Nairobi this morning.

Following is the full list of players: Goalkeepers: McDonald Harawa and Richard Chipuwa; Defenders: Yamikani Fodya, Lucky Malata (C), Mzava, Nyirenda, Francis Mulimbika, Sangala, John Lanjesi and Bashir Maunde; Midfielders: Kamwendo, Ng’ambi, Ngalande, Kayira, Phillip Masiye, Young Chimodzi Jnr and Ndaziona Chatsalira; Strikers: Nyondo, Gabadinho and Chiukepo.