Malawi out to upset Ivory Coast

Malawi will look to cause an upset when they lock horns with Ivory Coast in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification group D match at Orlando Stadium in South Africa on Friday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

The Flames suffered a 2-0 defeat to Cameroon at home in their opening group D game last month, before securing a 1-0 win over Mozambique at their temporary home ground, Orlando Stadium, with the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe deemed unfit by Caf.

Malawi are currently placed third on the group standings - a point behind leaders Ivory Coast and they will look to stun their much-fancied opponents in Soweto.

Alfred Gunda, the Football Association of Malawi (Fam) general secretary, says the team's preparations are on track under coach Meke Mwese.

“We have our guys on the ground in South Africa. Everything is going on well," Gunda told Malawi Times.

"We also hope it will be easy this time considering this is the second match we are playing at Orlando Stadium."

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast took control of group D when they defeated Cameroon 2-1 at home last month having drawn 0-0 with Mozambique at home in their opening game.

The Elephants are a point above second-placed Cameroon and they will be looking to defeated Malawi both in South Africa and at home on 11 October.

Patrice Beaumelle, the Ivory Coast head coach, says he knows what to expect from Flames heading into their first encounter.

"I know Malawi. I spent five years in Zambia and they share the border with Malawi. They play generous football with a lot of qualities and effort," Beaumelle told the media.

"They are dangerous and always in a hurry. It's a team that I take seriously. You have to be strong. I hope to collect six points."

The last competitive match between Malawi and Ivory Coast was in October 2009.

The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the 2010 Fifa World Cup qualifier in Malawi.