Malawi Govt yet to fund Ghana game

With Malawi Government yet to release funding, FAM is facing a race against time to prepare for Saturday’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana’s Black Stars.

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) requires K28 million (about $93 333) for the event.

As of Sunday, FAM had not received the money to meet the costs of hosting the game, including Flames’ allowances.

The Flames were scheduled to relocate to Lilongwe on Sunday, but a senior FAM official, who asked for anonymity, said it was unlikely that they would depart for Lilongwe in the absence of funding.

“How do you expect the players to be motivated when they have not received their allowances up to this day—just five days before the game?” wondered the official.

While confirming that the association was yet to get funding from government, FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda refused to comment further on the issue.

Sports Council executive secretary George Jana confirmed that they were yet to receive funding for the match.

“We presented the necessary documentation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. For more details, you should speak to Mr. [Justin] Saidi [PS II]. As of now, we are just waiting for feedback from the authorities,” said Jana.

However, Saidi threw the ball back into Sports Council’s court: “Just like any other subvented organisation, FAM gets funding from Sports Council.

“The money is sent directly to Sports Council from Treasury, it does not go through the ministry.”

As a result of the delay in funding, FAM has failed to arrange a strength-testing match against Mali in preparation for Ghana.

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri has bemoaned the team’s failure to play a strength-testing match.

“It is a setback because Ghana is not just another team. We needed to tune-up by playing a strength-testing match,” said Kinnah.