Flames assistant coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda says the absence of their talisman Frank Gabadinho Mhango and defence pillar Charles Petro will be felt when they face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Monday in Tunis.
But the former Malawi National Football Team captain said they are confident that those that will fill the duo’s big boots will stand up to the task.
South Africa-based Mhango has been ruled out after sustaining a right ankle sprain while Petro, who is based in Romania, suffered a groin injury during Thursday’s match against Namibia’s Brave Warriors which the Flames lost 0-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
“I will be lying if I say we won’t feel their absence, these are two key and experienced players, but that doesn’t mean we are trying to come up with an excuse if things don’t go our way,” said Mponda.
“We have faith and trust in all the players. Injuries are part of the game.”
In an interview yesterday, Mhango said he is disappointed to miss the Tunisia game.
He said: “The injury is a bit more serious than I thought. I went for a scan today [yesterday] and I am expected go there again tomorrow [today].
“I am in great pain that I can hardly walk, otherwise it pains not to be part of the squad, but I have all the belief in the guys that they will be up to the task and I urge the nation to rally behind them.”
The Flames flew out of the country yesterday for Johannesburg, South Africa, from where they were expected to connect to Tunis via Cairo in Egypt.
Meanwhile, Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa has said the result in Thursday’s game could have been different had his charges been clinical.
Giving his analysis in a post-match interview, the Zimbabwean tactician said: “[It was] a game of chances. These are international matches where you do one mistake, you are punished.
“We gave them too much respect; hence, keeping possession in most areas.
“We didn’t do much in terms of attacking, but in the second half, the boys increased intensity.
“We had our chances and we could have had one or two [goals], but that’s what football is all about.”
Pasuwa also said they have not given up on their qualification hopes.
Said the Zimbabwean tactician: “We are playing games to win and we can’t say now everything is gone and now we play for the sake of fulfilling matches.”
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda described it as a difficult match for both teams.
“If you look at Namibia, they couldn’t break through our defence. Our boys failed not because they were outplayed or didn’t play well, but they couldn’t do the needful when it mattered,” he said.
Nyirenda cited the chances which striker Richard Mbulu and midfielder Lloyd Njaliwa missed.
“On the other hand, after they scored, Namibia were primarily in that game for containment. Secondly, the Flames did not make good use of wing attacks.
“We attacked more than the visitors, but tactically, Namibia got it right.”
The Flames failed to live to expectations against the Brave Warriors and resorted to a needless kick-and-rush game.
Half way the qualification campaign, Malawi are fourth in the five-team Group H with six points from five matches.
They are six points behind leaders Tunisia and four adrift of second-placed Tunisia.
Liberia are third with seven points from the same number of matches.
Thursday’s defeat was the first for Pasuwa in five matches, having taken over from Patrick Mabedi whose contract was terminated by the Football Association of Malawi due to poor results in the 2025 Africa cup of Nations qualifiers.
