More pressure on the Flames
The Flames will this evening take to the turf against Burkina Faso in Mali four points adrift of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group L leaders Senegal who beat Burundi 0-1 at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe yesterday.
Senegal’s result courtesy of English Premier League club Crystal Palace midfielder Ismaila Sarr goal from the penalty spot in the 71st minute means they have
four points from two matches while Burundi in second with three points.The Lions of Teranga drew nil-nil against Burkina Faso on Friday.
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi said tonight’s match, kicking off at 9pm Malawi time, is a must-win if they are to keep their qualification hopes on the boil.
The match will be played in Mali because the Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not certify any of Burkina Faso’s stadiums as fit to host a match.
However, the Flames gaffer has conceded that his troops face an uphill task against the West Africans, whom they have not beaten in six previous meetings.
Having worked on the shortfalls that were noted in their first match, Mabedi said his troops are raring to go.
He said: “This is a must-win game for us, anything less won’t be good, including a draw.
“We have worked on our mistakes, especially the transition from attack to defence.
“We have also held motivational talks with the boys and they are eager to make up for the poor start.”
Former Malawi National Football Team coach Kinnah Phiri also said the Flames need to win at all costs.
Flames captain Christopher John Banda said they are ready for the match
““We know we have put ourselves in an awkward situation but we are ready for the match. The morale is high and we have recovered from the loss to Burundi,” he said.
While the Flames have lost four of their five games this year, winning only against Sao Tome and Principe in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, the solace is that it has not been a smooth ride for the Stallions either who are winless in their last eight games since January.
They have lost four and drawn the same number of games.
But despite their poor run, they are still favourites. Out of their six meetings against the Flames, Burkina Faso have won four and drawn twice.
The Stallions are ranked 67th on Fifa rankings, 59 p
They also boast of players who ply their trade in top European leagues, including defenders Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and Issa Kabole of Benfica in Portugal as well as strikers Dango Quattara, who plays for Bournemouth in the English Premiership and Bertrand Traore of Dutch giants Ajax.
The other player Malawi should keep an eye on is lethal forward Qusseni Bouda.
On the other hand, the Flames will look up to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based duo of Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu, Chimwemwe Idana and Lloyd ‘Banega’ Aaron to keep the supply lines open for Zambia-based strikers Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chifundo Mphasi.
The Flames defence, which appeared to have more holes than a faulty radiator in the opening match against Burundi, needs to stand firm in tonight’s match scheduled for 9pm.
Stallions coach Brahima Traore was quoted by africasoccer.com as having said that they need to build on the vital point earned in Senegal with a win.
“There are no longer easy games. And we know Malawi will come out very tough after losing their first match. But we hope to do well,” he was quoted as having said laces above Malawi.
