The Malawi National Football team, known as the Flames, will not participate of this year’s COSAFA competition, taking place from June 26 to July 7.

According to FAM, this is because the government imposed a 21-day mourning period after Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight other people perished in a plane crash.

“FAM highly considered it insensitive to proceed with our preparations and subsequent participation in the championship.

“For this reason, the Malawi National Team will not be participating in the COSAFA tournament this year as a way of showing respect to the souls of the people who lost their lives in the tragedy,” reads the statement.

However, many feel that FAM should adopt a different approach and support players in their fight for the souls of the dead.

According to Daniel Moyo, taking part and eventually taking home the trophy for the first time is a more meaningful method to demonstrate love to the dead spirits.

On Monday, Chilima will be laid to rest.

Mark Singo has a similar thought saying Malawi should do what Zambia did when its players died in a plane crash.

“What Zambia did was to organize another team and they participated in the tournament showing a splendid performance. FAM should reconsider its stand, the best way is for us to participate and play for the departed souls by winning games,” he said.

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Last year Malawi had chances of winning the trophy but failed to make it to the final after losing in the semi-finals. Zimbabwean coach Kalisto Pasuwa was to guide the U23 team to compete in this year’s competition.