Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya has called on South Africa-based Malawians to turn up in large numbers and support the Flames when they face Bafana Bafana on Sunday at Loftus Stadium in Pretoria.
Malawi will head into the second leg of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (Chan) final qualification round second leg with an advantage having won the first leg 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe last Saturday.
Striker Zelliat Nkhoma scored the lone goal in the 88th minute.
Said the FAM boss: “The battle in Pretoria will require more than tactical discipline on the pitch, vocal support from the fans will also be crucial.
“This is not just another fixture, it’s a defining moment in Malawi’s football resurgence. With a one-goal advantage, the psychological and moral support from Malawians based in South Africa could make all the difference.”
Former FCB Nyasa Bullets and Malawi Under-20 National Football Team midfielder Misoya Zakariya said some Malawians based in Johannesburg and Pretoria are already mobilising themselves to give their team moral support.
“It’s a crucial match and we are getting organised to give our boys the vocal support they need and come Saturday, we’ll be there at Loftus Stadium to cheer our boys,” he said.
“We will make noise from the first to the last whistle.”
The Flames have never qualified for the continental showpiece since its inception in 2007.
During the 2022 edition, Malawi failed to sail through on away-goal rule having tied one-all with Mozambique’s Mambas.
This was after the two teams played out a one-all draw away in Lilongwe before settling for a goalless draw in the return leg in Maputo.
The winner in Sunday’s match will qualify for the finals to be co-hosted by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya in August.
