Malawi see flames of AFCON possibilities

Egypt’s 2-1 win over Guinea on June 14 2023 unlocked unlikely doors of possibilities for Malawi’s Flames to sneak through to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Ivory Coast.

Two months is indeed too long a time in football. All seemed lost for the Flames when they suffered a 2-0 defeat in Cairo on 24 March to the Pharaohs, who went on to make it a double by punishing the then Mario Marinica’s charges 4-0 in Lilongwe four days later.

A few days later, Romanian Mario’s tenure run its course and now his deputy Patrick Mabedi is in charge in acting capacity.

Such back-to-back defeats left the Flames with a paltry three points from three games after having started the Group D qualifying race with a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Ethiopia, courtesy of Gabadinho Mhango’s penalty brace in Lilongwe.

Now with Egypt securing the 2023 Afcon ticket with 12 points from five games, either Malawi or Ethiopia could sabotage second-placed Guinea’s chances of giving the Pharaohs company in Abidjan.

As it stands, Guinea have nine points from five games with one game to go against Ethiopia, who too, must travel to Cairo for a dance with the rivals in the reverse fixture, after having won the first leg 2-0 on a neutral venue in Lilongwe.

First, Ethiopia host the Flames in Maputo, Mozambique on 20 June. Back-to-back wins for either side in their respective two remaining matches will see the tally rising to nine points at par with Guinea. In such a scenario, the second side to sail through from the pool will be decided by finer details of either head-to-head or goal-aggregate.

On paper, the Sly Nationale of Guinea have the brightest prospects of qualifying for Afcon, as they just need a draw away in Malawi in the last game to make it whereas the Flames, who lost 1-0 to Naby Keita’s late strike in the first-leg on 9 June 2022, cannot afford a draw.

Likewise, the Walias of Ethiopia have the single mandate of ensuring wins in both games against Egypt and Malawi. Therefore, group D remains with strong possibilities.

Neutrals should be encouraged that both Malawi and Ethiopia lost to Guinea in first leg assignments; hence, revenge is the catchphrase for the reverse games. However, looking at the Nile rivalry that lies ahead, Ethiopia should have a tough time in hostile Egypt in the reverse fixture.

Whatever happens in Cairo will surely work to the advantage of Malawi provided they, too, get it right first against Ethiopia on 20 June.

To prepare for the tangle with Ethiopia, Malawi drew 1-1 with Mozambique on Wednesday where debutant Lanjesi Nkhoma equalised with a quarter hour remaining on the clock after the Mambas had gone ahead through Telinho’s strike.

However, Mabedi has left out experienced legs of Mhango, Gerald Phiri Junior, Micium Mhone, Francisco Madinga, Khuda Muyaba, 2021 Afcon’s first-choice Charles Thom and Stein Davie, saying he wants to start a new chapter with new blood.

There are serious questions on whether the rebuilding should start midway through the journey to Abidjan let alone under his caretaker reign when he is not even assured of the permanent job.

Group D remaining fixtures:

Ethiopia v Malawi June 20 2023