Plans to have the Flames busy by playing on the next Fifa international dates which fall between March 21-29 may hit a snag due to financial constraints.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) youth and technical subcommittee wanted the Flames to play at least two friendly matches.

The committee’s chairperson Tiya Somba Banda said they planned to propose the friendly matches to FAM executive committee.

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However, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday cast doubt on the possibility of keeping the Flames busy due to financial constraints.

He said: “We have enquiries for friendly matches, but difficult to confirm due to financial constraints.”

The international friendly matches were expected to mark the beginning of the Flames preparations for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers and Africa Nations Championship (Chan).

The 2023 Afcon qualifiers preliminary round kicks off next month but Malawi will join the race in group stages in April just after the start of 2023 Chan qualifiers.

Nyamilandu said the Chan qualifiers will be important for the Flames preparations for the 2023 Afcon.

He said: “It’s a crucial tournament as it enables us build a strong team for Afcon 2023. It will give a chance to the local talent to impress so that they can compete for a place in the main team.”

Apart from the 2023 Afcon and Chan, the Flames will also participate in Cosafa Championship and Nyamilandu said the financial constraints are putting the team’s preparations for the competitions at risk.

He said: “Juggling both Chan and Afcon, including Cosafa Cup will be hectic and very expensive. We will need sufficient resources to participate in these international competitions.

“Funding remains an ongoing challenge for the Flames and  can derail progress because it is difficult to do the most basic things.”

Malawi has never qualified for the Chan finals which was introduced in 2007 to promote local players.

The Flames were knocked out by E-swatini in the last edition of the competition after a 1-1 draw at Kamuzu Stadium.

E-swatini held Malawi to a goalless draw in Manzini and went on to take the lead at Kamuzu Stadium before Micium  Mhone’s late equaliser which was not enough as the visitors proceeded on away goal rule.

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