Flames coach Patrick Mabedi says he is not reading much into how Malawi’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers’ Group H opponents are faring.
He said this in a post-match interview soon after the Flames’ 3-1 victory over Sao Tome and Principe at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Thursday, which puts them three points behind leaders Tunisia.
Responding to a question on Malawi’s chances now that the group appears to be wide open, the Flames gaffer said: “We need to understand our objective. We need to take a game at a time and not focus on how others are doing.
“Of course, it is good for us to look further [in the competition], but I am not looking at how other teams are doing. We should focus on ourselves and then in the end we can see where we stand.”
The Flames are third in the six-team group with six points from three matches, three points behind leaders Tunisia and a point below second-placed Namibia’s Brave Warriors.
Liberia’s Lone Stars, who are coached by immediate-past Flames mentor Mario Marinica, are fourth with four points while Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome are fifth and sixth respectively, with no point.
Equatorial Guinea forfeited six points for featuring an ineligible player in their first two qualifiers.
Mabedi also said the win over lowly-ranked Sao Tome, who are winless in 12 matches across all competitions, was a big boost for his charges ahead of Monday’s game against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo.
He said: “Obviously the win has motivated us, it has raised our confidence levels.
“It is a boost after the defeats to Kenya [4-0] and Zambia [2-1] in the Four Nations Tournament.”
Meanwhile, the Flames were scheduled to fly out to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia yesterday and are scheduled to connect to Equatorial Guinea this morning.
The team, which includes 22 players, is being led by Football Association of Malawi executive member Daud Mtanthiko.
