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Q: You are with the Flames on attachments, how are things moving on?

PM: Well, in the first place let me thank the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and the head coach Kinnah Phiri for according me this opportunity to be part and parcel of the Flames technical panel.

"To be frank with you, I have learnt a number of things which I believe will help me in my soccer management career. I am grateful to Kinnah because he is giving me a chance to conduct some sessions when the team is training even when it goes into action.

Q: Since you started your attachment, what has been the response from the players?

PM: "I must put it clear that the players in the current squad are just wonderful. When you tell them to do this and that, they just go for that and I am happy with the work spirit that we have in camp. I am also happy that all the members of the technical panel are eager to help when the need be, so it's a wonderful experience to be in the technical panel of the national team.

Q: How can you describe the current performance of the Flames?

PM: "A credit should go to all the national team players for making it possible to go to the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in over 25 years. That was no mean achievement and on top of that the team also came back home with something in their bag when they massacred Algeria 3-0. "Algeria is going to the World Cup in South Africa and to defeat such a team with that margin it shows that Malawi is no longer punch bags as some people felt before"

Q: In Which areas do you think the Flames current squad that is participating in the African Championship should polish up?

PM: "Everything is going on a positive note and the players are packed with the much needed burning desire to fight as you have seen how they have pounded the Mambas. "I think our defence is rock solid and we just have to polish up in midfield and the striking force so that we should utilise our chances. We could have scored more than the three goals had it been that we were sharper upfront but all the same three goals are just enough.

Q: How do you look at the future of the Flames?

PM: "The future looks bright if we have to go by the way the boys are playing. Of course there is always a room for improvement and success should not go into our heads. We need all the stakeholders of the game to hold hands and by doing so I believe the Flames will continue to shine in the forthcoming competitions.

Q: About the Chan qualifiers, do you think the locals will go further in the competition?

PM: Why not? The locals have already shown that they are committed to prevail in the competition. I just like the fighting spirit in the squad. All the players have got the confidence amongst themselves and I believe they will bring something good for the nation from Maputo in the return leg.

South Africa's Premier Soccer League (PSL) Moroka Swallows assistant coach Patrick Mabedi has said the Flames future looks bright if their recent impressive performance is going to be taken as a yard stick. Mabedi who is on attachments with the Flames explains more in this interview.

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13.1. The matches played in the knock-out system are played home and away. The team which shall have scored a higher aggregate number of goals in the two matches shall be qualified for the next round.

13.2. If after the end of the regular time of the second match, the two teams have scored the same number of goals during the two matches, the team which will have scored the greatest number of away goals will be qualified for the next round of the competition.

13.3. In case the number of away goals is also the same or if the results of the two matches are nil, the winner shall be determined by the taking of kicks from the penalty mark carried out by each team in conformity with the recommendations of the International Board. The team which would score the greatest number of penalty kicks shall be qualified for the next round of the competition.

FAM's Appeal Committee has upheld the decision made by Disciplinary Committee to fine Red Lions F.C with MK 500,000.00 for violent acts during the Standard Bank FAM Cup Semi Final match involving Red Lions and CIVO on 5th December 2009 in Lilongwe.

The Appeals Committee chaired by Mr. Meyer Chisanga and composed of himself, George Bakuwa and Patrice Nkhono also agreed to keep the one year ban imposed on Red Lions but suspend of its operation for 3 years. Red Lions FC will therefore be allowed to participate in future FAM Cup Competitions but will serve the 1 year ban if violence and hooliganism attributable to Red Lions F.C rears its head again in the next 3 years.

A well-oiled Malawi national soccer side, the Flames, convincingly hammered the Mambas of Mozambique 3-0 in a well attended African Championship (Chan) first leg qualifier played at the giant Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial city of Blantyre on Saturday March 13.

Hardworking midfielder Davie Banda powered the first goal in the opening half from a well taken free kick that gave the Mambas goalkeeper Neldo Jose no chance to tame.

The Mambas were dealt a big blow later on when midfielder Francisco Masinga was shown the marching orders in the 15th minute following a crude tackle on Flames evergreen forward Green Harawa.

The Mambas featuring nine starters that went to the 2010 Angola finals tried on a number of attempts to penetrate the Flames defence but the home side's back four comprising Harry Nyirenda, Foster Namwera, Chikumbutso Kanyenda and Maupo Msowoya gave them no breathing space.

The first half ended 1-0 in favour of the Flames.

Malawi came into the second half breathing fire with skipper Peter Mgangira and midfield compatriot Davie Banda feeding their strikers with probing balls.

It was not by surprise when the Flames netted the second in the 60th minute through budding forward Benard Harawa who headed home a well taken corner kick by Mgangira.

The rampaging Flames went on the comfort zone when they scored the third through razor-sharp forward Green Harawa. A well curled cross from Maupo Msowoya saw the Flames forward firing home from a tight angle.

"We were a better side today and Iam happy that the boys played according to my instructions. We had so many chances that we could have scored more than three goals but all the same the players did their best.

"When we travel to Maputo our aim will be to fight for nothing else apart from a win. Let me also thank the supporters, they have been so wonderful throughout the match," said Flames mentor Kinnah Phiri after the final whistle.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu Manda saluted the Flames for what he termed as a 'beautiful display' by the local players.

"The players have proved that our game is going towards another level. I believe that good moments will continue to come in the forthcoming games," said a delighted FAM boss.

On his part, FAM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Nyirenda had this to say about the sweet victory, "Amene aja tawapweteka ndipo ayembekezele kuvulala kwambiri pa return leg", meaning (We have injured the Mambas and they should expect more trouble in the return leg} said Nyirenda.

The second leg will be played in Maputo in two weeks time.

Flames in flying CHAN start

Mabedi says Flames have bright future

Ruling of Appeals Committee of FAM on Red Lions F.C.

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