Malawi climb 15 places on Fifa rankings

The Flames’ impressive showing in the last two matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers has not gone unnoticed as they are the second best movers in Africa after Zambia in the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola rankings released today.

Malawi has moved 15 places up the ladder—from 106 to 94—to find their way back into the double-digit bracket. Zambia have moved 16 places up—from 78 to 62.

Mid this month, Malawi punched beyond their weight to register a 2-0 win over Mali’s Eagles who were ranked 52 places above them before holding Ethiopia to a barren draw away in Addis Ababa four days later.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu and seasoned tactician Yasin Osman described it as good news, but cautioned that the Flames face a challenge of sustaining the tremendous progress if they are not active.

“It is wonderful news. I think that is where we belong. It is just a proof of the tremendous progress we have made and it is a pity that we did not qualify. But for us to maintain the rise, it will require that we remain active. Otherwise, the funding situation poses a threat and we could slide back,” said Nyamilandu.