Odds stacked against Flames in revised format
The revised Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) format tips the scales against the Flames in their 2019 qualification campaign.
According to a statement released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), except for Group A to which the Flames belong, the top two teams in the other 11 groups, will automatically qualify for the continental showpiece.
This follows a recent resolution by CAF to increase the number of teams from 16 to 24.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka yesterday said the tricky part is that the Flames’ group also includes hosts Cameroon’s Indomtable Lions.
“So, unlike other groups, in the event that Cameroon finish third or fourth in the group, then the team that finishes second will not qualify as that slot will be taken up by Cameroon.
“And as it stands, the Flames have to fight for the top spot or hope that they finish as runners-up to Cameroon,” he said.
Flames captain Limbikani ‘Pupa’ Mzava also described the situation as tricky for the Flames.
“I think what it means is that we will have to fight to be above Morocco by all means and it is possible,” he said.
Initially, had Cameroon emerged the group winners, the runners-up would have automatically qualified and in the event that Cameroon finished third or fourth, then the group winners would have qualified automatically while the runners-up would have been eligible to qualify as one of the best three runners-up.
Cameroon and Malawi are currently joint leaders of the group having won their opening games against Morocco’s Atlas Lions and Comoros, respectively by 1-0 margins.
