More to flames woes—Mabedi
Malawi’s poor performance in 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has left an egg on coach Patrick Mabedi’s face, but the tactician insists there is more to the team’s terrible performance than just his tactics.
The coach has since admitted that Malawi’s chances of qualifying for the finals are all but over after failing to collect a point in two matches, following a 3-2 loss to Burundi in the opening match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe last week and a 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso at March 26 Stadium in Bamako, Mali on Tuesday.
With two top teams set to qualify for the finals to be held in Morocco next year, Mabedi in an interview said it will be difficult for the Flames to punch a ticket to Rabat in Morocco.
He said: “We are the only team with no point in the group. To be honest, we have to face the reality. Our chances are slim because, I mean, we lost already six points.
“We are at zero while the other teams at least have collected one or three. So for us to catch up, it will be very difficult.”
However, Mabedi, who has five wins, four draws and seven losses in 16 matches, has once again blamed Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for failing to ensure the team prepares thoroughly.
He said: “But it can also be a wake-up call for us. I think it’s very important if we can, in future, have proper preparations because if you go to the game without preparing, well, this is what you face.
“We need to understand, for example, that the team that we played, they can meet anywhere, because they’re playing most of them outside their country and they are in competitive leagues.
“But I don’t like to complain. What happened, happened and we just need to face the reality. We are not good enough and we couldn’t match them. It’s bad that we conceded six goals in two games. It’s pathetic and a shame to us.”
However, some football pundits have accused Mabedi of excluding experienced players such as South Africa-based Marumo Giants striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said: “What can be deduced from this match is that Mabedi is relying on certain players, who are far below what international football demands. The experienced players he is snubbing are still required in the Flames. This team, if maintained the way it is, and under the same stewardship, can only bring more misery to the nation.”
But football analyst George Chiusiwa said the players should also take responsibility of the team’s performance.
He said: “While the coach is being blamed for the incomprehensible and shameful beatings at the hands of Burkina Faso and Burundi, the players should also be held accountable.
“Are the players doing enough? Can we undoubtedly say that some players deserve a place in the team? Do we have the much-needed quality in the team to match our opponents? Are these players well-moulded and oriented technically from a well-organised player development system?”
Chiusiwa said former Flames coaches Tom Saintfiet and Mario Marinica, are doing well at their current respective jobs in Mali and Liberia. yet they were deemed to have failed with the Flames.
He said: “But why are they doing well elsewhere in Africa?”
FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda in an interview said they will wait for the technical panel’s report.
He said: “We will wait for the coach to submit a report to the technical subcommittee.”
Malawi remains at the bottom with no point while leaders Burkina Faso and second-placed Senegal tie at four points. Burundi are third with three points.
Malawi’s next Afcon qualifiers are back-to-back fixtures against Senegal at home and in Dakar between October 7 and 14.
