Malawi and Burundi will be hoping to salvage some pride as they clash in a dead rubber 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier this evening at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjahn, Ivory Coast.
Eliminated from Group L qualification battle, nothing is left for the Flames who are yet to win a match and Burundi who have three points from their first victory over Malawi in the first leg.
Joint pool leaders Senegal and Burkina Faso, who tie on 10 points, already qualified for the Morocco finals.
But the match is a chance for the Flames to avenge the first leg 3-2 loss to the Burundians in the campaign’s opener at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in September.
Ironically, both Burundi and Malawi have new technical panels after the firing of their respective coaches behind the unsuccessful run.
Burundi coach Etienne Ndayiragije was fired after suffering two consecutive defeats against Burkina Faso on October 13 and 17 while Patrick Mabedi’s contract was terminated after the Flames’ back-to-back losses to Senegal in a double-header on October 10 and 14.
Zimbabwean tactician Kallisto Pasuwa has taken over from Mabedi on interim basis while Congolese Sangwa Mayani Patrick is the new tactician for Intamba mu Rugamba.
With both coaches hoping to impress in their first assignments, the match between the two sides promises fireworks.
But Pasuwa has inherited an underwhelming qualifying campaign in which the Flames have conceded 11 goals, second highest after Central African Republic who have let in 12.
The tactician said he does not expect an easy match, considering that his counterpart is also bent on impressing his bosses.
He said: “We need to tell the players that though we are out, we need to do well. But it will be a tough one because the opponent is also in the same situation.”
Pasuwa has maintained the bulk of Mabedi’s regulars while also recalling some foreign-based senior players who were side-lined by his predecessor.
Goalkeeper William Thole, captain John CJ Banda, defenders Dennis Chembezi, Nixon Mwase, McDonald Lameck and Maxwell Paipi, midfielders Lloyd Aaron, Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma, John CJ Banda and Chawanangwa Kawonga as well as striker Lloyd Njaliwa are all available.
South Africa-based forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango also returns since March when he was last called for the Four Nations tourney.
The new panel has also secured the services of Mozambique-based Richard Mbulu, who failed to show up for the last two qualifiers.
Romania-based utility player Charles Petro has also returned to the team since 2022 Afcon campaign.
