Malawi national football team, the Flames’ delegation faced travel hitches while in transit to Burkina Faso for Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

The Flames’ second batch of players and officials spent a night in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday and only left for Burkina Faso on Tuesday due to flight connection problems.

This batch of the squad is expected to arrive in the West African country on Wednesday.

On the other hand, the first batch of players such as Rafik Namwera, Chembezi Denis, Gerald Phiri Junior, Richard Mbulu and Nixon Nyasulu connected to Ouagadougou on Monday.

Football Association of Malawi executive committee member Rashid Ntelera, who is leading the Flames’ delegation, said the FA did its part in booking for the air tickets but the problem was with the airliner.

“It was disappointing, indeed, to be at the airport from 11am on Monday up to the following day, but we will talk with the players once we meet to uplift their morale,” Ntelera told The Daily Times newspaper.

This is a fresh setback for Malawi who have travelled to Burkina Faso without top striker Gabadinho Mhango and defender Limbikani Mzava.

Gabadinho picked an injury while playing for Orlando Pirates in South Africa three weeks ago while defender Limbikani Mzava tested positive for Covid-19. Mzava plays for AmaZulu FC.

The Flames face the Stallions on Thursday followed by the return leg of Group B on October 16. South Sudan and Uganda will meet in other duels for the group.

Uganda lead the group with four points from two games, at par with second-positioned Burkina Faso whereas Malawi are on third place with three points, followed by South Sudan with zero point.