Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, will not participate in this year’s Cosafa Men’s Seniors Cup in honour of State Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight other people who died in a plane crash on Monday.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) said in a statement the decision is a way of showing respect to the souls who lost their lives in the tragedy.
“Considering the sorrowful atmosphere as the result of the tragic passing of the State Vice President, Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others and the subsequent 21-day mourning period declared by government, Fam highly considered it insensitive to proceed with our preparations and subsequent participation in the championship,” the statement reads.
Fam was expected to send the Malawi Under-23 National Football Team to this year’s tournament. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who was named coach for Under-23, had already released his provisional squad for the tournament which was in camp at Mpira Village last week.
Fam said it will arrange some friendly matches for the team.
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“Fam remains committed to the technical development and growth of our national team. To ensure continued preparation and competitive readiness, we will be arranging a series of international friendly matches in due course.
“We believe that stakeholders and the general public will find merit in our bold decision as we remain steadfast in unity during this difficult period,” the statement reads.
Fam President Fleetwood Haiya said Cosafa informed member associations at short-notice.
“It was difficult for us to confirm our participation by fulfilling all conditions at short notice. We were ready to participate in the tournament as the team started preparations last week,” Haiya said.
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Meanwhile, the draw for the tournament was conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday but the Flames were not among the 12 teams. Group A comprises South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini and Botswana whereas Group B has three teams, holders Zambia, Comoros and Zimbabwe.
One team yet to be confirmed will complete the group.
Group C comprises Angola, Namibia, Lesotho and Seychelles. Three group winners will advance to the semi-finals and they will be joined by the overall group runner-up.
