Malawi national football team, the Flames have suffered a major setback after a number of players have tested positive for Covid-19.
Goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, midfielders Chimwemwe Idana and Micium Mhone, and defender Stanley Sanudi tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.
According to Football Association of Malawi Competitions and Communications Director, the four players have been isolated. He added that they will be re-tested on Thursday.
The Flames are expected to play South Sudan on 24th March before hosting Uganda a week later, in African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Malawi is supposed to collect maximum points in the remaining two fixtures to qualify for the continental tournament. However the Covid-19 cases in the squad have raised fears of failure to achieve the goal.
Meanwhile, the team has secured a strength testing match with Ethiopia in an effort to boost chances of succeeding in the campaign. The friendly game will be played on 17th March in Addiss Ababa, Ethiopia.