The Flames need to get it over and done this afternoon when they face Chad if they are to keep their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign firmly on the boil.

They host Chad in a second preliminary round, first leg and the setting is Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Assistant coach Jack Chamangwana and captain Moses Chavula said a win this afternoon, will give the Flames a spring in their step into the second leg away in Nd’jamena in two weeks time.

The Flames have never beaten Chad in Nd’jamena. They still have bitter memories of 2011 when they appeared within sniffing distance from a back-to-back qualification to the African safari as they led 2-1, but one slip proved fatal and Chad equalised with the last kick of the game.

On their second foray to Nd’jamena in 2012, the Flames lost 3-2 and probably that explains Chamangwana and Chavula’s emphasis on the need to win today.

“We know they will be out to frustrate us and get a point because they are tough when playing at their backyard. They turn to psychological warfare and it will be crucial to get a good result here at home. We need to attack with a purpose and not have a lot of possession without any significance. We need to be direct in our play,” said Chamangwana.

The Flames legend said the Sao will probably put a ‘bus’ at the rear to foil their efforts.

“I know there is always pressure playing in front of an expectant home crowd, but we should take it easy,” he said.

Chamangwana further said while the absence of defender Limbikani Mzava, midfielder Robert Ng’ambi and strikers Esau Kanyenda and Robin Ngalande is a cause for concern, they have enough cover.

“We have local players that are capable and good enough to fill the gaps,” he said.

Coach Young Chimodzi will be looking forward to registering his first win. Ironically, it will also be the first competitive game for Chimodzi as Flames head coach.

His first game in charge was a friendly against Zimbabwe’s Warriors, which the Flames lost 1-4 at home in March. The second was against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars away in Mbeya recently, which ended in a goalless draw.

Chavula said they are aware of an awful lot of expectation from the home fans.

“It is a must-win game for us because any result short of a win will put us in a difficult situation,” said the Mozambique-based left-back who has featured in all the four games against the Sao.

He said the players are in a relaxed mood ahead of the showdown.

South Africa-based duo of boy wonder Gabadinho Mhango and Atusaye Nyondo is expected to mesh upfront and carry the hopes for the Flames.

The two have had an impressive season in the PSL in which they were among the leading scorers and the expectation is that they will translate their club form to national duty.

Nyondo scored both goals when the Flames lost 3-2 to Chad in a 2013 Afcon qualifier.

The last time the two teams met was in February 2012 at Kamuzu Stadium and the Flames came out 2-0 victors via goals from Joseph Kamwendo and John ‘CJ’ Banda.

In the absence of Ng’ambi, Kamwendo is expected to run the Flames’ engine room by keeping the supply lines open while Chimango ‘Blackberry’ Kayira will provide the defensive shield. Ndaziona Chatsalira and Frank Banda are tipped to orchestrate play from the wings whereas Harry Nyirenda will marshal the defence.

Chad’s coach Emmanuel Tregoat has included over 10 Europe-based professionals, but Chavula played down the strength of the visiting squad, saying: “It will be 11 against 11. We are ready for them.”