Result revives flames hopes
E
gypt’s 1-2 victory over Guinea in Marrakech, Morocco on Wednesday evening has revived Malawi’s hopes to qualify for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
A draw in the Group D top of the table clash could have virtually ended table anchors Malawi and third-placed Ethiopia’s hopes of making it to Ivory Coast.
But following the Pharaohs’ victory, the Flames, who have three points, need to win both of their remaining games against Ethiopia’s Walias and Guinea’s Syli Nationale to have a realistic chance of qualifying, but goal difference will also be crucial as the Flames are behind the West Africans.
The Flames play Ethiopia, who also have three points, next Tuesday in Maputo, Mozmbique before facing Guinea on September 3 in Lilongwe.
Following the win, Egypt qualified for the continental showpiece with a game to spare as they now have 12 points. Guinea have nine points with one game left against Malawi. They have scored four goals and conceded three while the Flames have scored two and let in eight.
Former Flames coaches Kinnah Phiri and Yasin ‘Titch’ Osman said Wednesday’s result means Flames now have their fate back in their hands.
Said Kinnah: “Now it is no longer about just fulfilling the fixtures because they stand a good chance of sailing through.
“What they need to do now is to ensure they win with two-goal margins because in the event that they win both games, they will tie with Guinea and it will be down to goal aggregate.
“They should be disciplined in defence and score more goals.”
On his part, Osman said: “The gods of football wouldn’t have smiled at the Flames any better than this and it is now up to them to prove that they deserve to be at the Afcon finals, these are the games which players go an extra mile to prove a point.”
Football pundit Kevin Moyo yesterday said although the Flames have a chance, realistically, it is still a tall order.
He said: “Let us not pressurise ourselves.
“Currently, getting six points is tough, but achievable.
“Our priority should be building a new generation of flames players.”
However, Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu said the Flames can still fancy their chances.
He said: “We are still in the game. We need a big response from the players against Ethiopia on 20th June.
“This can go to the wire. We need to engage an extra gear because all is not lost. The match against Ethiopia is a decider and a must win
“It’s a must win to keep our hopes alive.”
Flames interim coach Patrick ‘General’ Mabedi said the Wednesday result has revived their hopes for qualification.
“It is very true, but our focus is now on Ethiopia, then we can take it up from there,” he said.
Malawi play away to Ethiopia on Tuesday in Maputo because the hosts’ national Stadium in Addis Ababa was declared unfit to host the qualifiers by the Confederation of African Football.
Malawi started the campaign on a promising note, beating Ethiopia 2-1 before losing their subsequent games 1-0 to Guinea, 2-0 and 0-4 to the Pharaohs of Egypt.
