Flames aim to bounce back
The Flames have a chance to revive their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification campaign when they host lowly-ranked Sao Tome and Principe this afternoon at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Malawi have won just one of their last seven matches while the visitors head into this one winless in 11 straight matches across all competitions.
The Flames, therefore, go into the match as favourites against the island nation with a population of just over 250 000 people.
But despite Malawi’s population being about 20 million, 80 times that of the islanders of the Gulf of Guinea on the western equatorial coast of Central Africa, coach Patrick Mabedi said they will exercise caution.
Ranked 125th on Fifa rankings, Malawi started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Liberia in Monrovia in November 2023, but lost by the same scoreline to Tunisia at home.
Sao Tome, who are ranked 188th, lost both their matches to Tunisia (4-0) and Namibia (2-0). They anchor the six-team Group H with no point.
Tunisia lead the group with six points. They are tied on points with second-placed Namibia, but are separated by goal difference.
Liberia are third with three points while the Flames, also with three points, are fourth.
Guinea, who forfeited points from their matches against Liberia and Namibia, for fielding an ineligible player, are fifth with no point.
Despite a frustrating camp, which saw local players coming in and out of camp to fulfil club fixtures, Mabedi said he was confident of a positive result.
He said: “I am glad that we have all the players in good shape except for Chikondi Kamanga who has an injury. Otherwise, everyone is looking sharp. We just have to focus more on tactical aspects. I am happy with the squad.
“The players are much better than they were in the Four Nations Tournament when most of them were off-season.”
Commenting on Sao Tome, Mabedi said: “The last game they played was against Sudan [in an Afcon preliminary round qualifier] and I watched them.
“They have a few good players. They can score, but they can also concede. It’s a team that if you are not careful, they can hurt you.”
Mabedi’s 26-member squad has seven foreign-based players, including Mozambique-based captain John ‘CJ’ Banda. Others are South Africa-based goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, defender Dennis Chembezi, based in Iraq and Zambia-based trio of midfielder Robert Saizi and strikers Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chifundo Mphasi.
US-based Henri Kumwenda completes the foreign legion.
In an interview, Kumwenda said it was an honour to be part of the squad for the World Cup assignments.
He said: “I have not been able to show the qualities I have. I am very excited.”
The Butler Bulldogs centre-forward also said he is confident that the Flames can defy the odds and qualify for the World Cup finals.
He said: “The group is talented. We have an opportunity to do something special. Something we have never done before, qualify for the World Cup.”
Kumwenda urged fans to come in large numbers to cheer the Flames.
Left-backs Precious Sambani and Tatenda M’balaka return to the squad after missing previous assignments due to injuries.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defending midfielder Blessing Singini has made the final squad alongside current TNM Super League leading scorer Zelliat Nkhoma.
Malawi will be without South Africa based Frank Gabadihno Mhango who was left out by Mabedi.
Sao Tome record goalscorer Luis Leal has netted each of his side’s last three goals and 10 in total, making him the player to watch.
Midfielder Jocy is another key player for the visitors.
