Malawi National football team- the Flames will not participate at this year’s Cosafa tournament slated to kick off 26 June to 7 July in South Africa.

In a statement released by Football Association of Malawi on Friday after the draw said this is in respect of the mourning period that the nation is observing following the tragic death of Dr Saulosi Klaus Chilima and eight others.

“FAM highly considered it insensitive to proceed with our preparations and subsequent participation in the championship” reads part of the statement

The Football goverving body announced that Kalisto Pasuwa will lead the under 23 national team at this regional tournament.