Malawi National Football Team coach Kallisto Pasuwa says he is happy with the progress made as he continues his rebuilding exercise of the Flames.
He made the remarks after Malawi came from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Liberia’s Lone Star in a 2026 World Cup Group H qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Monday evening.
“It is [the team] coming up and I can see progress on what we are doing as a team. Trailing 2-0 at home, then to come back and score two goals shows we are doing something in terms of how we are building the team,” said Pasuwa.
But the coach admitted there is still work to do, especially in defending set-pieces.
He said: “I talked about the need to avoid conceding from set pieces at this level. International matches at times can be decided by set-pieces. So, we need to do more in terms of how we defend set-pieces.
“You saw the way that we approached set-pieces. Straight lateral ball from the left side into the box, we are punished in a space of two minutes.
“Then, a throw-in, we concede again. But like I said, it’s concentration. At this level, we can’t be conceding set-pieces every time.”
Pasuwa nonetheless drew positives from the performance, highlighting captain Frank Gabadinho Mhango’s contribution who, after netting a stunner in the 2-1 victory over Namibia, masterminded the comeback against Liberia.
The Flames’ leading scorer netted the first and provided an assist for the second goal scored by substitute Chawanangwa Kawonga.
Said Pasuwa: “We were okay in first 30 minutes with runs into the box, but for us to convert chances, is still ptoblematic. We’ll go back and see where we are making mistakes so that we can be good tomorrow.
“We need to improve in all areas. Building a team is in different levels. At times we play different systems.
“So, there are players who are supposed to be playing those systems to say, if it is the three defenders at the break, who should play, if there are four, whom should we play?”
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya also applauded the team’s resilience.
Posting on his Facebook page, he said: “What a comeback that was. A very uplifting performance by the Flames. It was motivating to see the fighting spirit fans have been craving for.
“As we look ahead to the next game, let us build from where we finished today and carry this momentum forward.”
Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, who top the pool with 22 points, sealed their qualification following a 0-1 win over Equatorial Guinea in Malabo also on Monday..
The Flames have dislodged Equatorial Guinea to move into fourth position on 10 points, though the two sides are tied on points.
Malawi will conclude their campaign in October when they host Equatorial Guinea before wrapping up the campaign away to Sao Tome.
Since taking charge, Pasuwa has guided the Flames to six wins, three draws and four losses.
