The Flames are hoping to mark their return to the HollywoodBets Cosafa Cup with a victory when they face last year’s finalists Lesotho’s Likuena at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
This will be Malawi’s 23rd attempt to win the regional showpiece, having been losing finalists in 2002 and 2003.
After making it to the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years in the 2023 edition under coach Patrick Mabedi, the Flames missed last year’s edition due to the death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima alongside eight others in a military plane crash on June 10 at Nthungwa in Viphya Plantation, Nkhata Bay, forcing Football Association of Malawi to withdraw from the competition as it was within the mourning period.
The Flames, who are in Group B alongside defending champions Angola’s Palancas Negras, 2015 champions Namibia’s Brave Warriors and 2023 and 2024 finalists Likuena, return to the competition under new technical panel led by Kallisto Pasuwa.
First assistant coach Peter Mponda was in charge of the team’s preparations back home while Pasuwa was recuperating from an illness in his homeland after falling sick before last month’s African Nations Championship qualifier against South Africa.
In an interview before flying to South Africa where Pasuwa has joined the team, Mponda said his charges are geared for the competition.
He said: “The preparations are going on well. The response from the guys we called into camp was very good apart from a few setbacks. We saw Zebron Kalima playing games, but we have been told that he cannot go to Cosafa Cup because he is not fully fit. That’s a big setback.
| Courtesy of FAM
“Washali Jaziya’s Japanese club Nankatsu SC says the boy is new and that he needs time to settle down. So, we said, yes, it’s a very good reason. Let’s give him time. Apart from that, we are very happy with the way things are going.”
The Flames squad is a mixed bag as the technical panel has blended experience with youngsters.
Rookies Bullets Reserves’ Oscar Petro, Allen Chihana of Karonga United, Lucky Tizola of Mighty Tigers FC, Fanizo Mwansambo of Ekhaya FC, Andrew Jovinala of Bullets, Charles Nkhoma of Moyale Barracks and Emmanuel Nyirenda of Mighty Wanderers will be making their debut.
These are expected to follow the lead of regulars George Chikooka, Richard Chimbamba, Maxwell Paipi, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gaddie Chirwa, McDonald Lameck, Chikumbutso Salima, Zelliat Nkhoma and Olson Kanjira.
Said Mponda: “We have tried to find a balance between giving exposure to some of the guys and also going to the tournament and try to win it. It’s very unfortunate that we have been participating, but we haven’t won it.
“We feel that we have taken a very good squad to take us to the semi-finals and see what happens if we reach the finals and try to win it. We are going there to compete and try to bring the cup home.”
But the Suthus are also eager to see progress in their campaign after losing in the finals twice on the trot.
Likuena coach Leslie Notsi in a pre-match interview said he was looking forward to reaching the final again.
Unlike Pasuwa, he has assembled his best arsenal, including foreign-based players such as South Africa-based Thabo Makhele, Fusi Matlabe Mpheni, Teboho Letsema and Tumelo Makha, Thabang Malane who is based in Namibia and Botswana-based Lehlohonolo Fothoane.
Notsi backed his decision, saying he picked the best players regardless of their age.
He said: “It was not easy, given that all the 33 players were outstanding throughout the season, and it was not easy for the technical team to select the final squad. When a player is capable, we need to give him a chance and the support.”
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda in an interview yesterday said the Flames should expect a tough opponent as Lesotho have been improving with each game.
He said: “Remember in 2023 they booted us out in the semis when we lost 3-0 on post-match penalties.
“Come 2024, they also managed to reach the finals again when we were not there. So, if truth be told, Lesotho are going into the match as favourites. But we have a squad capable of delivering.”
The Flames second fixture is against Brave Warriors on June 8 and they will wrap up their group stage matches with a clash against Angola on June 10.
PAST FIVE MEETINGS
16 Jun 2016
Malawi v Lesotho 0-1 Cosafa Cup
11 Nov 2017
Malawi v Lesotho 1-1 Friendly
13 Oct 2019
Lesotho v Malawi 1-1 Friendly
06 Jul 2022
Lesotho v Malawi 2-1 Cosafa Cup
14 Jul 2023
Malawi v Lesotho 1-1 Cosafa Cup
