The Football Association of Malawi is still awaiting government approval to go ahead with an international friendly against Zambia on July 6 in Blantyre.

Recently, the government of President Joyce Banda announced that there would be no celebrations on Malawi's Independence day in order to cut government expenditure.

In the past, an international friendly match for the Flames has traditionally formed part of Malawi's national day celebrations.

Football Association of Malawi General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda confirmed to a leading local newspaper, the Malawi Times, that his organisation was advised by government to arrange a friendly for the Flames and had since agreed with Football Association Zambia on the game.

"We were instructed by government to organise a friendly football match against any team to be played on July 6. We went on to contact Zambia and agreed on the friendly match," he said.

When asked if FAM was not aware that government had scrapped off national celebrations on the day, Nyirenda said they were yet to get official communication from government.

"We have heard that, but government has not officially written us to cancel the game so it would be difficult for us to act based on what we are just hearing," he said.

Meanwhile, Zambia has already named a 26-man squad which will start training in Lusaka on Monday 2nd July in readiness for the game.