The Football Association of Malawi has passed Calabar’s hosting right for Saturday’s decisive 2014 World Cup qualifying match against the Super Eagles fit, after their two-man advanced party earlier sent into the country, inspected hotels and experienced the warm reception by their counterparts.
The Fam had earlier lodged a complaint to world football governing body Fifa over the choice of Calabar as the venue for the crucial encounter because of security reasons.
The Fam General Secretary Sugzo Nyirenda, who came alongside association’s accountant Christopher Mdoloto, stated in a media statement on Tuesday that they had the opportunity to inspect some hotels and settled for the best.
“NFF welcomed the two in Abuja as well as in Calabar. They inspected some of the hotels in Calabar and they have settled for Dannic Hotel (a touching distance from the stadium). The hotel is new and resembles the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe and it is generally a good hotel,” said Nyirenda.
Nyirenda also confessed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been supportive, contrary to their expectations.
“NFF has provided every support required and there are no stone unturned in making sure that all is set for the game. Everyone in Calabar is talking about the game and the game fever is so high here,” the statement added.
Nyirenda is also optimistic that the Flames would find the Calabar weather conducive as it is rainy season in the Cross River State capital.
“In terms of weather, it has been showering this afternoon as we are still in the rainy season in Nigeria. It is generally cool and I think our players will like the weather,” read the statement.
The advance party inspects the training venue today (Wednesday) and then attend a preparatory meeting to be conducted by the NFF.
Flames, who are in Botswana for a friendly game, are expected to leave on Wednesday for Accra, Ghana, enroute to Calabar on Thursday.
