The Flames will be out to overtake Namibia and move two steps up to second in a bid to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes on the boil when they face-off this afternoon at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Malawi National Football Team is fourth in Group H with six points from four matches, two points behind second-placed Namibia and four adrift of leaders Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles.
A victory today could also end the Brave Warriors’ unbeaten run in the campaign.
Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa is hoping to extend his unbeaten run to five matches.
The Zimbabwean tactician has three wins and a draw since taking over from Patrick Mabedi.
The Flames have also kept a clean sheet in all the four matches under Pasuwa’s tutelage.
In head-to-head contests between the two teams, Namibia have won seven, lost four and drawn four as well.
But the last time the Flames lost to Namibia was in a friendly match in July 2011, 14 years to be precise.
The Flames have also won three of their last four World Cup qualifying matches at home.
They have lost only two of their last 14 global showpiece qualifiers at home, winning eight and drawing four times.
Pasuwa yesterday said he is satisfied with the preparations and they are ready for the match.
He said: “We did not have enough time as players were with their respective clubs, especially foreign-based players. We only had our first full training session on Tuesday and it went on very well and I think in terms of physical fitness, they are OK.
“On the tactical part of it, we hope they will quickly adjust.”
Commenting on the opponents, Pasuwa said: “People might take Namibia as a small team, but they are no longer small teams these days and we need to grind everything to get a result.”
On his part, Namibia coach Collin Benjamin said: “We are going to fight all the way and the squad is a reflection of our desire to produce good results.
“It is essential that we have a successful outcome which will be a huge step into the next step.”
Heralding this contest will be Flames’ talisman Frank Gabadinho Mhango and his fellow South Africa-based Namibian counterpart Peter Shalulile.
The duo is considered among the top strikers in the Rainbow Nation top-flight league and in the 2019/20 season they emerged joint golden boot winners after scoring 16 goals apiece.
The other potential match winners for the Flames will be Mozambique-based Richard Mbulu while the Namibians also have Deon Hotto.
