Malawi National Beach Soccer Team suffered a setback Tuesday after failing to fly out to Bujumbura, Burundi, due to logistical challenges.
However, the team is expected to leave today for the first leg of the 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier slated for Saturday.
A well-placed source at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) said the first group was scheduled to leave Tuesday but failed to do so due to visa hitches.
“Actually, nine players and some officials started checking in at the airport. The matter was already sorted while the team was still at the airport but due to protocols, it was not possible for the team to travel,” the source, who asked for anonymity, said.
Times Sport established that the team was supposed to fly to Burundi via Ethiopia, passing through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where they were expected to spend a night.
Later in the day, the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) confirmed the development.
“The team failed to secure documentation in time for layover visas in DRC, where the team was expected to spend a night tomorrow [Wednesday] before connecting to Bujumbura on Thursday.
“Fam is currently working on new travel arrangements to ensure the team leaves tomorrow (today) for the important match,” the statement from Fam reads.
The team was expected to arrive in Burundi Thursday ahead of Saturday’s game. It was also established that five players were waiting for their passports as of Tuesday.
Beach Soccer Association Chairperson Gift Chimbalaga, who is part of the delegation scheduled to travel to Burundi, was reluctant to comment on the matter.
On the team’s preparations, Chimbalanga said the team was in good shape ahead of the first leg.
“The players are in high spirits. They are ready and geared for the match,” Chimbalanga said.
Coach Kumilambe named a 20-member squad which was in camp in preparations for the match.
Kumilambe is expected to travel with a bulk of the players that participated in the 2023 Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship in Durban, South Africa.
Captain Isaac Kajamu, Sandram Saddie, Simba Dala, Martin Biliati, Justin Bonongwe and Obrien NKhumbula are some of the experienced players.
The overall winner between Malawi and Burundi will qualify for the Beach Soccer Afcon finals to be staged in Egypt later this year.
Malawi will be looking for back-to-back Beach Soccer Afcon finals qualifications after their maiden appearance at the 2022 finals held in Vilankulo, Mozambique.
Malawi finished seventh during the Afcon finals. In March this year, Malawi made a return to the Cosafa Beach Soccer after a nine-year absence and won bronze.
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