The Malawi National  team, the Flames have left the country on Monday morning for Cameroon ahead of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers against the indomitable Lions on Friday.

Foreign based players are also expected to leave their respective bases the same day and will join the local players in Ethiopia enroute to Yaoundé.

The team will also face Mozambique in the same tournament in Johannesburg on September 7.

However, Scotland based defender, Kieran Ngwenya, has been ruled out of the Flames two FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers due to United Kingdom’s COVID0-19 travel restrictions.

Ngwenya will not travel to avoid a mandatory 10- day quarantine on his return from South Africa, which is on UK’s red list.

FAM Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka confirmed the development saying Flames coach Meck Mwase has decided to excuse the defender for the two matches.

Zakazaka said: “We understand his situation on the COVID-19 risks. Last time he came for his debut in Tanzania he had to endure a 14- day isolation and we thought he should not go through the same again.

“He had a grand debut game against Tanzanian and we had hopes he will play a big role in these matches and it is our hope that travel conditions in the UK will be eased soon so that he should be available for the next matches against Ivory Coast in October.”

Meanwhile Mwase has recalled Nyasa Big Bullets defender Nixon Nyasulu to replace Silver Strikers defender Nixon Mwase who tested positive to COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Blue Eagles winger Micium Mhone has also been ruled due to an injury he picked on club duty.

The Flames will face Cameroun on Friday in Yaoundé before hosting Mozambique at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on September 7.