Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa has warned his charges that they are not yet in the comfort zone as they face Comoros in the African Nations Championship (Chan) play-offs first round, second leg at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe this afternoon.
The Malawi National Football Team goes into this afternoon’s showdown with a spring in their step following their 2-0 first leg victory at the same venue last Sunday.
Comoros hosted the Flames at BNS because their national stadium is not certified by the Confederation of African Football to host international competitive matches as it does not meet the minimum requirements
The islanders need to win today’s match by a three-goal margin to sail through, realistically a tall order, but the Zimbabwean tactician said that is not beyond the realms of possibility.
“This is football and the tide can change at any given time. We can only be assured of progressing to the next round after 90 minutes. We beat them 2-0 in the first leg and they can also do the same,” he said.
“Even if we were leading by a four-goal margin, it would not be a guarantee that we are through. So, we need to exercise extra caution.”
The Zimbabwean tactician also said he expects the Coelacanths to go flat out as they have nothing to lose.
“As I said earlier, the players’ fitness is a challenge because we are off-season and although fitness levels cannot be raised within a week, we still tried to push them,” said Pasuwa.
Nevertheless, the former FCB Nyasa Bullets, Dynamos FC and Zimbabwe National Football Team coach said the first leg two-goal victory gives them extra motivation.
On the other hand, while admitting that his charges have an uphill task, Comoros coach Zainoudine Msoili vowed to fight every inch of the way.
“We have slim chances of turning the tables, but although the odds are stacked against us, we will fight all the way,” he said.
“Malawi are a good side and we’ll need to dig deep, but we are not giving up.”
The Comoros mentor also drew confidence from his team’s improved performance in the second half.
“I thought we were a better side in the second half although we conceded that late second goal which could prove costly,” he said.
Pasuwa is tipped to keep faith in the first leg line-up captained by Maxwell Paipi, who marshalled the defence which stood firm, thwarting all the islanders’ efforts with remarkable ease.
McDonald Lameck, Nickson Mwase and Alick Lungu completed the rearguard, which also had George Chikooka in goals.
Gaddie Chirwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira orchestrated play from the wings while Lloyd Aaron and Yankho Singo kept the engines running in the middle of the pack to keep the supply lines open for first goal scorer Binwell Katinji and Ephraim Kondowe upfront.
The men who could make a difference for the visitors are forwards Nasser Djanfar, Ali Soifiane Immadouded Ben and Abdallah Said Sadad.
The two teams have met five times and Malawi have won four with Comoros winning the other.
The Flames are ranked 131 on Fifa World Rankings while Comoros are on 103.
The winner in today’s encounter will face winners between Egypt and South Africa, who played out a goalless draw in the first leg.
Malawi have never qualified for the continental showpiece, which is exceptionally for local-based players.
The biennial tournament was introduced in 2007 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to expose local talent.
