Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa has warned his charges not to underrate Group H table-anchors Sao Tome and Principe when they face off this afternoon in their last 2026 World Cup qualifier at Stade Olympique de Sousse in Tunisia.
The Warriors of Equator are hosting the Flames in the North African country because they do not have a Confederation of African Football certified stadium.
Sao Tome and Principe have lost all their nine matches in this campaign to be among one of the two worst performers, the other being Seychelles, who are also yet to earn a point.
But the Malawi National Football Team gaffer was quoted by africafootball.com as having said that with nothing to lose, the hosts will try to salvage some pride with a respectable finish to a disappointing campaign.
He said: “They are underdogs on paper, but football can be unpredictable; hence, the need for caution.
“We could be in for a shock if we are not careful and that is what we have been telling the boys.”
Nevertheless, the Zimbabwean tactician said they are prepared for the match.
Malawi, who are fourth with 13 points going into their last match, have outside chances of finishing as runners-up with the hope of making the play-offs.
But even if they do, to make it among the top four runners-up across all groups, appears a tall order.
To finish second, the Flames will be hoping that second-placed Namibia, who have 15 points, will drop points against group winners Tunisia, who already punched their ticket to the global showpiece as they have an unassailable 25 points.
That is not all. Malawi will also be counting on Equatorial Guinea, who are out of contention, to beat third-placed Liberia’s Lone Star, who have 14 points.
Sao Tome and Principe have been the whipping boys in the group and nine straight defeats have left them rooted to the bottom of the standings. This includes a heavy 6-0 loss to group Tunisia on Friday.
Notably, Ricardo Monsanto’s men have conceded in all nine of their qualifiers while failing to find the net in seven.
They also have the worst defence in the qualification series, having conceded 26 goals.
Malawi, on the other hand, have fared better, with three wins, a draw and four losses.
The Flames have the bragging rights going into this afternoon’s showdown, having won the first round match 3-1.
On Fifa rankings, Malawi are 126th, 69 places above Sao Tome and Principe.
Meanwhile, as of 3pm yesterday, Fifa had not responded to FAM’s enquiry on the status of Flames captain and marksman Frank Gabadinho Mhango.
The South Africa-based forward was suspended for Thursday’s match against Equatorial Guinea after accumulating two yellow cards, but the match did not take place following the latter’s no show.
In an interview yesterday, Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said: “We are yet to get a response from Fifa, but we have sent them a reminder.”
However, in the likes of Chawanangwa Kaonga, Richard Mbulu, Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma, Pasuwa still has enough armoury
