Flames’ battle cry
Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo and inspirational midfielder Robert Ng’ambi have said they owe soccer-loving Malawians a win when they take on Mali tomorrow in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations’ crucial qualifier.
Speaking during a press briefing held after yesterday’s morning training session at the match venue, Kamuzu Stadium, Kamwendo said: “It’s been a while since we put a smile on the faces of soccer-mad Malawians and we owe them a win on Saturday.
“This is a do-or-die battle for us and on behalf of the entire team, I am appealing to Malawians not to foresake us, but fill the stadium to capacity to give us the morale support we desperately need, we can’t do without them.”
He also said judging by the body language, his troops are ready for tomorrow’s showdown.
And speaking separately in an earlier interview, Ng’ambi said: “It will be a tough match, very difficult for that matter, but we are ready because if we win, we will remain firmly in contention.
“We know we have disappointed Malawians a lot lately, but we look up to them for inspiration.”
He also played down the recovery of Mali’s captain Sedou Keita, saying: “He might be a good player, but we have played against better players than him. He featured in the first leg in Bamako and he was a shadow of his usual self.”
After training at the Chiwembe Ground for the first three days, the Flames switched to the match venue yesterday morning and they are expected to have their last training session this morning while Mali will have the feel of the pitch this afternoon.
Coach Young Chimodzi said the players’ response has been very encouraging and that despite insufficient time, he is happy with how preparations have gone.
