The Flames are aiming to settle the score when they face their hosts Ethiopia in their second friendly match this afternoon at Dire Dawa International Stadium.
The Waliyas, ranked 13 places below the Malawi National Football Team, won the first friendly match 1-0 on Saturday at the same venue.
The Flames are yet to register a victory this year, having lost thrice and won once in their last six matches.
In an interview yesterday, coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he is also hoping that his charges will end their goal drought that has seen them failing to score in three successive matches.
The Flames have only scored one goal in their past six matches.
“It is a cause for worry. We need to be aggressive in the third quarter where we have been making too many mistakes. We need to have confidence in front of goal,” said Pasuwa.
He also said continuous lapses in concentration and conceding from set-pieces have been a cause for concern.
“We need to be awake all the time. Hopefully, tomorrow [today] we can do better,” said the Flames gaffer.
Pasuwa also said as they head towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, which kick off in September, the team needs a positive result to boost their confidence.
He hinted at maintaining the bulk of the team that started on Saturday.
“We might make a few changes, but three-quarters of the boys that played the first match will start,” said Pasuwa.
On the other hand, Ethiopia are enjoying a good run which has seen them winning four of their last five matches and coach Yohannes Sahle was quoted by thereporterethiopia.com as having said that they will be out to continue from where they left in the previous match.
“We know Malawi will come out strongly, but what is important to us is to stick to our game plan and maintain the rhythm,” he said.
Sahle also indicated he will make some changes.
“This could be our last game before the Afcon group qualifiers, so we have to give others a chance,” he said.
The Ethiopia mentor has not called any of the foreign-based players for the two friendlies.
