Flames coach, pundits say there is still hope

Flames coach Young Chimodzi and other soccer pundits have said there is still hope for Malawi to qualify for group stages of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations despite the 1-0 loss to Benin away in Cotonou on Sunday.

Chimodzi, seasoned tactician Yasin Osman and former Flames captain Peter Mponda said all is not lost.

Chimodzi said the narrow defeat in Cotonou gives him confidence that they can turn the tables.

“We will have a home ground advantage and if we can assemble our best players then we should be able to qualify,” said Chimodzi.

He also reiterated that the hosts were gifted the lone goal scored by their marksperson Stephane Sessegnon in the first-half, “otherwise, we did try to contain them”.

Osman said: “A 1-0 loss away is not a bad result considering that Benin are supposed to be a stronger team with some players who play in top European leagues.

“We need to play a fully attacking game here at home and win 2-0 or at the worst 1-0 so that it could be determined by fate. So, at this stage, it is not a bad result. We are down but not out, there is still light at the end of the tunnel.”

Mponda also said the Flames still have fate in their own hands.

“Tactical deficiencies will always be there, but we have to pat the team on the back for losing narrowly, it is not easy when playing away, but the focus should now switch to the return leg and we should make sure that we assemble our best team.”