‘Make noise for us’

• Flames captain, FAM president say local fans’ support is lukewarm

Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo yesterday set the hype for Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Zimbabwe with an appeal to  fans to create an intimidating atmosphere for the Warriors at Kamuzu Stadium.

Kamwendo made the call during a news conference held at Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

“We are starting the campaign at home and that gives us an advantage. We are ready for the battle. The morale is high. But I would also urge the fans to come in large numbers and cheer us on because they are a source of motivation.

“If they make noise in the stands, we will also make noise on the pitch. A good example was during the Cosafa Cup in South Africa, there were a handful of supporters, but they made a difference by cheering the team all the way and it worked, but here it is different. The stadium is often packed, but it is quiet and it affects the morale of the players,” he said.

Some players who attended the press conference—Esau Kanyenda, Limbikani Mzava and Gerald Phiri Jnr—gave their captain a big hand.

On his part, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu agreed with Kamwendo saying visiting teams are never intimidated at Kamuzu Stadium.

“We only support when our team is doing well, but we also need to support them when the chips are down.

“The role of the 12th player [the fans] is very critical in this game because we are playing at home. Our visitors should be intimidated and I am urging the fans to boo Zimbabwe from start to finish. The moment they enter the field of play, they need to realise they are in a different cathedral,” said Nyamilandu.

Meanwhile, the Flames have received a timely boost with the arrival of South Africa-based defender Harry Nyirenda and striker Zicco Mkanda from Mozambique. They joined the squad on Tuesday.