Confusion on China game
There is confusion on the nature of the team that the Flames will play during the official opening ceremony of Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on January 28.
While the ceremony’s main organising committee has said the Flames will meet the Chinese National Football Team, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has insisted that their Chinese counterparts are sending a select team from Guangzhou Province.
Fam, through interim Coach Gerald Phiri Senior, initially called up seasoned players for the match, but later withdrew the big names for Under-23’s, saying China would be sending a select side from Guangzhou.
Fam General Secretary, Alfred Gunda, said the association was compelled to replace most players after learning that China would not be sending the senior team, the Dragons.
But the organising committee’s media and publicity sub-committee Chairperson, Gedion Munthali, said there was no change to the team that China will send.
“The information we have as an organising committee is that the Flames will be playing the Chinese National Football Team. [The] Government has the same information. We have not been advised about anything to the contrary,” Munthali insisted.
However, Gunda maintained his stand.
“We will be getting information on their travel itinerary but we have the names of the players who will be in the country to play the Flames,” Gunda stated.
If indeed the Flames will meet the senior Chinese team, the match will be tough because the Dragons beat one of the world’s top sides, Croatia, 5-4 on post-match penalties to win bronze in
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