Test of character as Flames face Pharaohs
Flames step onto Egypt’s largest 86 000-seater Borg El Arab Stadium this evening hoping to fine-tune and toughen mental character against the Pharaohs in a warm up for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers. The match kicks off 19.00 hours
With 2015 Cosafa Cup lessons in the bag, Flames coach Young Chimodzi has told his charges to stand out to be counted at the Mediterranean Sea resort stadium in Alexandria City. Impressive players will make the squad to face Zimbabwe in this Saturday’s Afcon Group L qualifier at the Kamuzu Stadium.
“With the coming of the other players, this is an important game to help us test our coordination. We need a good result against Egypt to build morale and character. My message to the new players is that they must not slow down, thinking that they stand no chance of playing in the eventual match against Zimbabwe,” said the coach before departure.
Chimodzi, who cannot remember the last time Malawi beat Egypt at home, wants his charges to build on the 2015 Cosafa Plate winning display that comprised two wins over South Africa and Zambia and a heart-breaking quarter-final loss to Mozambique.
In the last two months, the Flames have played six games in all competitions, drawn once, lost thrice and won twice, scoring six and letting in an equal number of goals. The midfield seems strong, but scoring and defending are challenges confronting Chimodzi.
The Flames have welcomed back seasoned players such as captain Joseph Kamwendo, Esau Kanyenda and AtusayeNyondo. Will Chimodzi be brave enough to field youngsters such as Gerald Phiri Jnr and MiciumMhone?
Kamwendo, who could play in midfield alongside ChimangoKayira with MiciumMhone and John Banda probably manning the wings, has since hailed the new batch of players. He cited Mhone and Phiri Junior as players for the future.
“They both showed they are ready for bigger challenges. There were a lot of positives from the Cosafa Cup. If there are lessons then it is on keeping concentration,” the TP Mazembe midfielder said.
Egypt are tuning up for next Saturday’s Group G match against Taifa Stars of Tanzania. Egypt might have missed out on back-to back Afcon qualification, but any stretch of imagination, they are no small team. They are record seven time Africa kings, ranked 40 places ahead of Malawi (95) on current Fifa ranking and managed by high-profile coach Hector Cuper.
The Argentine has called up on-loan Chelsea forward Mohamed Salah and Hull City winger Ahmed Elmohamady for this friendly against Malawi, but the squad excludes Ahly and Zamalek players who have continental commitments with their clubs.
The Pharaohs have been inactive since November when they failed to qualify for the 2015 Afcon under former coach ShawkyGharib who has since been replaced by Cuper.
They have only played a friendly match in March, weeks after Cuper’s appointment, defeating Equatorial Guinea 2-0.
