The Flames are hoping to salvage some pride by winding up their disastrous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) campaign with a win against Burkina Faso’s Stallions at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
In what has been one of their worst campaigns in the continental showpiece’s qualifiers, the Malawi National Football Team anchors Group L with a point earned in a goalless draw against Burundi in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday evening.
But it won’t be a stroll in the park against Burkina Faso a side they have not beaten in seven attempts in which they have lost five and drawn twice.
To worsen matters, Malawi will miss three regulars, namely defenders Dennis Chembezi, and McDonald Lameck as well as midfielder John ‘CJ’ Banda who are suspended having accumulated two yellow cards.
The Flames’ fate was sealed last month after they were beaten back-to-back 4-0 on the road and 1-0 at home by Senegal, which took them to four consecutive defeats in the qualifiers.
Overall, Malawi have won only once out of nine matches this year, losing seven and drawing once.
The gulf in class between the two sides is wide as the Burkinabes are ranked 62nd on Fifa World Rankings, 72 places above their hosts.
Nevertheless, at a pre-match press conference in Lilongwe yesterday, Flames interim coach Kallisto Pasuwa said his charges will be out to avoid defeat.
He said: “We are looking for two results, a win or in the worst scenario, a draw.
“The draw [against Burundi] was good for us because it raised confidence in the team. But the challenge is that we have not had enough time for preparations.”
The Zimbabwean tactician , who coaches FCB Nyasa Bullets, also lamented the absence of the suspended trio, saying: “Every coach wants to have his key players available, so it is a big challenge. But it is a task we have to fulfil. That is why we called 25 players.”
Goalkeeper William Thole, who kept a clean sheet against Burundi, is likely to get the nod to man the posts, but with Lameck and Chembezi suspended, Nickson Nyasulu and Nickson Mwase are likely to step in to join Europe-based Charles Petro and Alick Lungu in forming the rear guard.
Lloyd Aaron is also expected to be called to duty in central midfield to fill the void left by captain ‘CJ’ Banda, to mesh with Patrick Mwaungulu while Wisdom Mpinganjira and Lanjesi Nkhoma will orchestrate play from down the flanks.
Upfront, the coach is tipped to feature Zambia-based forward Chawanangwa Kaonga to partner Gaddie Chirwa and either Frank Gabadinho Mhango or Richard Mbulu.
On the other hand, the Stallions already booked their ticket to the African football safari despite going down 0-1 to group leaders Senegal’s Lions of Teranga on Thursday night.
It was their first defeat in this campaign, which saw them drop to second position. They have 10 points, three short of the Senegalese.
But despite being in the comfort zone, the Stallions have brought a full-strength squad that includes 2024 Confederation of African Football Africa Footballer of the Year nominee Edmond Tapsoba, who plays for German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
Other notable players in their squad are striker Lassina Traore of Ukranian top-flight league side Shakhtar Donetsk and Issa Kabore on loan at Portuguese giants Benfica from English Premiership champions Manchester City.
