Flames face test of character
The Malawi National Football Team face a test of character as they take on Africa’s highest ranked side Senegal’s Lions of Teranga in 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Dakar.
Having lost 2-3 to Burundi Swallows at Bingu National Stadium in the opening Group L qualifier before losing 3-1 to Stallions of Burkina Faso in Bamako, Mali, the Flames campaign is on the brink of collapse.
Malawi anchor Group L without a point. Burkina Faso and Burundi played yesterday as we went to press.
This means the Flames must win their remaining four qualifying matches, starting with back-to-back ties against Senegal today and on Tuesday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi in a pre-match interview sounded confident of pulling an upset in foreign land though the odds are stuck against his side which has a bad reputation when playing away.
The former Kaizer Chiefs tactician said: “There’s a lot at stake to play for. You know, we don’t have points. We’re playing a very good team. We need to dig deep so that we can have at least some points. We know it’s not going to be easy, but it’s very important that we do well. Good results are very important for us.
“We need to work extremely harder so that we can get three points. A win will give us confidence as we go home for the next match.”
But Mabedi knows well that this is easier said than done as he faces a star-studded side comprising entirely Europe-based super stars such as Chelsea’s Nicholas Jackson, Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), Iliman Ndiaye, Idrisaa Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Moussa Niakhaté (Nottingham Forest), Édouard Mendy (Al-Ahli) and Senegal’s all time top scorer and former Liverpool star Sadio Mane (Al Nassr).
However, the coach said playing against the super stars is a motivation as well.
“We all know Senegal has big players, big names, but at the end of the day it’s all about 11 against 11, its same number of players. It’s all about who wants it most.”
But unlike his counterpart Pape Thiaw, who replaced 2022 Afcon winner Aliou Cissé just four days ago, Mabedi is not spoiled for choice with just seven foreign-based players who ply their trade in Zambia, DR Congo and Mozambique.
Apart from the return from injury of first choice goalkeeper Brighton Munthali and recalled duo of Isaac Kaliati and Lloyd Njaliwa, Mabedi will stick with his usual players.
Munthali is expected to start ahead of George Chikooka who conceded six goals in two matches against Burundi and Burkina Faso.
In defence, Mabedi will likely stick to right back Stanley Sanudi, centre back Dennis Chembezi and Lawrence Chaziya while left back Timothy Silwimba might get his debut.
In midfield, the coach is expected to pack it with ball winners Lloyd Aaron and captain John CJ Banda with Chimwemwe Idana in attacking role.
Yamikani Chester should get the nod on the wide side of the pitch with Lanjesi Nkhoma on the other end. Upfront the Flames mentor will stick to Chawanangwa Kaonga.
Patrick Mwaungulu, Robert Saizi, Zeliat Nkhoma, Nickson Mwase, Kaliati, Njaliwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira will likely wait in the wings.