Make or break for the Flames

The Flames will know if they can make it to the quarter-finals of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup or pack up and go home after this afternoon’s decisive match against e-Swatini.

The Flames go into the match at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa straight from a 2-1 loss to Lesotho in their first group match, as such they need to win to keep the dream of a quarter-finals place alive.

Only group winners will sail through, meaning that not even a draw will be good enough for the Flames ahead of their last group match against fourth-placed Mauritius on Sunday.

The odds are stacked against Malawi. They come up against a determined side that made its intention clear when it thrashed Mauritius 3-0.

In the match against Lesotho, the Flames dominated ball possession and had 12 shots on target, but still lost.

Flames coach Mario Marinica was noncommittal when asked if he will make changes to his squad, especially in defence where some errors gifted the opponents.

He said: “I don’t think it’s appropriate to say Malawi can make it to the quarter-finals because it does not depend on us. It depends on results of other games.

“We expect a tough game against e-Swatini. I think e-Swatini is the best team in the group. But we have our game plan which will give us scoring opportunities and if we can manage to take them we will win.”

The Romanian tactician is likely to maintain Ernest Kakhobwe in goals as well as right back Stanley Sanudi and left back Precious Sambani.

In central defence, Marinica has Blessing Mpokela and Sankhani Mkandawire who need to start working on their communication.

In midfield, Chimwemwe Idana and John CJ Banda are expected to start again.

But it is yet to be seen if the coach  will take heed of calls to start impressive Tanzania-based attacking midfielder Peter Banda who changed the game when he replaced Chikoti Chirwa and went on to provide an assist for Chiukepo Msowoya’s goal.

The attacking trio of Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Stein Davie and Khuda Muyaba will likely start as usual with Chiukepo on the bench.

E-swatini coach Dominic Kunene has an attacking mentality as seen in the match against Mauritius when he deployed a four-pronged attack of Philani Mkhonto, Fanelo Mamba, Sabel Ndzinisa and Junior Magagula.

At the end of the day, it is going to be a battle of wits between the two tacticians.