Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa says facing South Africa in the Africa Nations Championship (Chan) final qualifying round will be an uphill task, but a route worth taking if they are to grow into a force on the continent.
He said this after Bafana Bafana stunned the Pharaohs of Egypt 3-1 on Sunday night to set up an all-Southern African affair against the Flames.
South Africa sailed through on a 4-2 goal aggregate having played out a one-all draw in the first leg.
The Zimbabwean tactician said despite the potentially tall order, he remains confident and determined as his side prepares to face South Africa in the second round next month.
Malawi qualified for the final round after a 4-0 aggregate victory over Comoros, following 2-0 margin wins over two legs.
Pasuwa was quoted by fam.mw as having acknowledged the challenge ahead, but insists that facing top teams is essential for the Flames’ growth.
“We knew before the game started that we were going to play one of the African football giants, so we are not even surprised. To be the best, we have to compete against the best,” he said.
The former FCB Nyasa Bullets, Zimbabwe National Football Team and Dynamos FC coach said despite Bafana’s impressive form, he remains focused on improving his squad, emphasising the need for tactical adjustments ahead of the tie.
“We will definitely come up with something different in the next round because the games are different. It may be a change in the system, formation, or personnel. The game in South Africa will be different from the one here in Malawi. So we will consider changes, definitely,” he added.
Pasuwa’s first assistant Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said there would have been no better opponent between the two.
“South Africa and Egypt are more or less on the same level. They are both continental giants and the good thing was that we knew we would face one of them,” he said.
“It’s a big one, no doubt about that, but there is no challenge that cannot be overcome.”
Malawi and South Africa last met in the 2023 Cosafa Cup, where a goalless draw led to South Africa winning 5-3 on post-match penalties.
The first leg is scheduled for between May 2-4 with the return leg slated for May 10-11.
The Chan fianals will be in played Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August 2025.
