Marinica says Zambia, Mozambique solid teams
Flames coach Mario Marinica says he now has a picture on what to expect from Malawi’s 2023 Championship of African Nations (Chan) second round potential opponents Zambia and Mozambique, having watched them at the Cosafa Cup.
The Flames will face winners between Zambia’s Chipolopolo and Mozambique’s Mambas in the second round of Chan and the Romanian stayed behind in Durban, South Africa after the Flames’ exit from the Cosafa Cup to watch the two teams.
In an interview yesterday, Marinica described both Zambia and Mozambique as solid teams.
He said: “These are two solid teams with experienced players.
“Each has own clear characteristics and have very different approaches.
“Mozambique are playing more elaborate football, I should say Portuguese like. On the other hand, Zambia has a much more direct approach.”
Marinica said participating at the Cosafa tournament gave him a chance to give debuts to seven uncapped players and to gel them in the team.
The Flames opponents between Zambia and Mozambique will be identified by the end of the month while the first leg second round qualifiers will be played between August 26 and 28 while the return fixtures are set for September 2 to 4.
Malawi qualified for the second round without kicking a ball following Zimbabwe’s disqualification from Chan by Confederation of African Football (CAF) after failing to meet some consitions set by world football governing body Fifa.
At the Cosafa tournament, Zambia claimed a record-equalling sixth title after a 1-0 victory over Namibia while Mozambique finished fourth after losing to West Africa guest nation Senegal 4-2 on post-match penalties. They played out a one-all draw in regulation time.
