No external allowances for Flames

FAM has expressed doubt about raising external allowances and game bonuses for the Flames for the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup to be staged in Uganda starting this weekend.

The development follows government’s rejection to the association’s request for K18 million (about $55 000) supplementary funding for the team’s expenses.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu said: “At the moment, we are trying to see what we can [get from government]. We are relying on money that was left from the annual government grant. There is currently a reconciliation taking place of the funds that were given by government and what has been spent so far.”

Nyamilandu said FAM is also looking at topping up the funds with revenue from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations second-leg qualifier against Ghana.

“I doubt if we will be able to raise the players’ external allowances and game bonuses, but the most important thing will be to take part in the tournament,” said Nyamilandu.

He said as the situation stands, the Flames will not have an international friendly match in preparation for the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Namibia in March next year.

However, one of the senior players who asked for anonymity, said the development is likely to affect their morale.