Flames out to make amends
The Flames will be out to haul themselves out of the mire when they face neighbours Zambia’s Chipolopolo this afternoon in a third-place play-off in the Four Nations Tournament at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Later on, it will be the Warriors of Zimbabwe up against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the final.
Malawi were left searching their souls following a 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Harambee Stars on Saturday in front of an expectant home crowd.
On the other hand, the Chipolopolo will also be out to make up for their 6-5 penalty shootout loss to the Warriors of Zimbabwe after giving away a two-goal lead to share the spoils in regulation time.
In an interview yesterday, Flames coach Patrick Mabedi yesterday hinted at making wholesale changes in today’s match.
He said: “There is a possibility that we might change the team [because] we have to give all the players a chance.”
On how he plans to approach today’s encounter, the Flames gaffer said: “I will repeat that we need to realise that the objective of this tournament is to assess the new players.
“Yes, I would love to win and it will be nice if we win and I am hopeful that the boys will come back stronger.”
Mabedi called up nine uncapped players for the tournament, but only three, namely defenders Joseph Balakasi and England-based duo of Jubril Okedina and striker Henri Kumwenda got a run.
On the other hand, Zambia’s coach Avram Grant said while winning the tournament was not their target, they are taking today’s match seriously.
Said the former Chelsea manager: “The priority is to put the team in shape and also see some new players.
“But we also want to win every game and develop a winning mentality. So, yes, we want to win this game as well.”
Apart from new faces, both teams have their big-name players and the Flames have the likes of captain John ‘CJ’ Banda, Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Stanley Sanudi, Chimwemwe Idana, Lawrence Chaziya, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chifundo Mphasi.
Chipolopolo have England-based Leicester City forward Patson Daka, veteran defender Stopilla Sunzu and Italy-based forward Lameck Banda.
The two teams have met 72 times with Chipolopolo winning 39, the Flames have 22 while 11 ended in draws.
The last time they met was during last year’s Cosafa Cup in South Africa and the Flames won 1-0.
