Government has not yet released funding for the Flames trip to Chad for Africa Nations Cup qualifier on February 29.

Nevertheless, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has refused to press the panic button saying they were hopeful that things would work.

The development comes after Ethiopia Airlines cancelled Flames air tickets following delays by Fam to issue payment.

As expected top government officials said Flames funding, which is slightly above K15 million, would be released before Saturday.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Welfare Alex Mseka said there was no need to panic.

"We will come back to you once we release the funds," he said.

Similar remarks were echoed by the director of sports Jamieson Ndalama.

Fam risk suffering same blow if they fail to make part payment to Kenyan Airways today, this will force the Flames to re-book the tickets and in the end it might affect their date of arrival in Ndjamena.

Fam chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said they were optimistic that government would release the funding.

"We rely on government because they sponsor us. They have assured us that the funding would be available and we are not panicking," he said.

Fam is battling on two fronts following revelations that Chad has not yet issued entry visas for the Flames.

Nyirenda said if all goes well they were planning to send an advanced delegation to Chad to avoid what happened last year.

"Last time our team was subjected to hostile reception. We were ill-treated. Our team was accommodated at a sub-standard hotel and they were training on a bumpy pitch," he said.

"We want the Flames technical director Jack Chamangwana and Fam accountant Christopher Mdolo to go in advance to check the situation. This was agreed at Fam executive committee meeting in January."