Soccer-Malawi beat Congo to keep alive World Cup hopes

BLANTYRE, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Sweden-based striker Russell
Mwafulirwa scored twice in the second half to hand Malawi a 2-1
victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their World Cup
qualifier on Saturday.

The result ensured second place for Malawi in African zone
Group 12 but they will have to wait until the end of the
weekend's full programme of qualifiers to confirm their
progress to the final phase of the 2010 World Cup preliminaries.

Congo, who as Zaire were the first black African side to
reach the World Cup finals in 1974, were eliminated after
finishing third.

The visitors took an early lead after a powerful long range
shot from Lomana LuaLua in the 12th minute. Mwafulirwa equalised
early in the second half and then notched the winner eight
minutes from time.
(Editing by John Mehaffey)

Malawi roar up in Group Twelve

by BBCNEWS

Malawi moved to joint-top of Group 12 of the 2010 World Cup and
Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers thanks to their 3-0 win over Djibouti
on Friday.

Goals from Chiukepo Msowoya, Moses Chavula and Nyondo secured the impressive win for visitors.

The victory at the Gouled Stadium in Djibouti City took the Flames to
nine points, same as Egypt and DR Congo who meet in Kinshasa on Sunday.

Djibouti are already out of contention for a place in the
second phase of the qualifiers as they have no points after five
matches.

They have so far conceded 26 goals and found the net only two times.

Malawi will host DR Congo in the next round of matches in October

Delayed national budget affects Malawi's Olympic team

The 10 member Malawi Olympic Committee (MOC) left for the Beijing
games without up keep allowances and kits due to financial constraints.

Speaking after the delegation’s departure at the Kamuzu
International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe Monday afternoon, MOC president
Floriano Massa said the budget for the trip was K6.5 million to meet
food, sport kits, accommodation expenses, while air tickets were
provided by Malawi government and International Olympic Committee
(IOC).

Government managed to provide K2.5 million, leaving a huge shortfall.

“We have had an impact of the delayed national fiscal budget,
government can not release enough funds now and that has made us fail
to meet other obligations for the trip but we are working out how to
solve the problem,” said Massa.

He said MOC had to fall in debt to facilitate the trip as they were
finalizing on some other necessities while the team was already in
China.

“Things like sport kits are very important and the athletes can not do
without them,” said Massa. “But we are doing everything so that they
are provided with those materials before the games start.”

He promised the athletes that the kits which were being procured from South Africa should reach them on August 5.

Massa said the IOC assisted with some of the air tickets and government met the rest of the expenses.

The Olympic Games will open on August 8 with a ceremony that will parade about 7,000 athletes from 203 countries worldwide.

The Malawi team comprises short distance athletes Chancy Master who
runs 1,500m, Lucia Chandamale, 500m and swimmers Charton Nyirenda and
Zahra Pinto who have been training in South Africa.

Polyanna Pinto (mother to Zahra) accompanied the athletes, while Ken
Dzekedzeke and Yona Walesi are the athletes and swimmers coaches,
respectively. The team manager is Haxson Chapasa who is also MOC
General Secretary.