Chimodzi to change Flames system, eyes home wins

The Flames plot is loud and clear; win all home games or forget about a third dance at the African safari that is the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

And the task gets underway this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre when they host Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in their second Group B qualifier having lost their first match 2-0 to Mali away in Bamako.

Coach Young Chimodzi and his captain Joseph Kamwendo on Tuesday said they have to accept the harsh reality that once they drop points at home, then it will be mission impossible.

“We must win all home matches starting with the one against Ethiopia on Wednesday, or else we’ll not have realistic chances of competing for a qualification slot.

“So, the target is let’s make full use of home ground advantage and Wednesday’s match is a must-win for us and we’ll have to go for Ethiopia’s throats,” said Chimodzi.

He, however, admitted that having lost their opening game (1-2) to Algeria, the Antelopes will also fight to get the bit between their teeth.

“Ethiopia are no easy team, they have made tremendous strides in recent years and we’ll have to exercise a lot of caution.

“We need to attack with a purpose and not be wasteful in front of goal as was the case in Mali. We need to drum into the players that it’s not going to be a stroll in the park and we’ll have to sweat blood to get a result because the fact that we are playing at home is no guarantee that we will win,” he said.

Chimodzi is tipped to change the formation from 5-4-1 to a more attacking 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formations with strikers Atusaye Nyondo and Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango who started on the bench in Mali, set to be thrown into service while Kamwendo, Ng’ambi, Chimango Kayira and Robin Ngalande orchestrating play from midfield. The back four is likely to comprise Harry Nyirenda, Lucky Malata, Francis Mulimbika and Limbikani Mzava.

Ethiopia coach Mariano Barreto was quoted by cafonline that he is optimistic their three-week training camp in Brazil will reflect in their performance in the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers at the weekend.

The Walya Antelopes were in the land of the 2014 World Cup hosts between 8 August and 26 August 2014 where they pitch their strength against some notable clubs to fine-tune for the Group B double-header against Algeria on 6 September 2014 in Addis Ababa before travelling four days later to Blantyre to face Malawi.

Ethiopia qualified for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. The team was crowned African champions in 1962 on home soil.