FLAMES MUST WIN TODAY’S GAME IN ORDER TO STAND A CHANCE OF QUALIFYING FOR AFCON

The Malawi National team coach Young Chimodzi says Malawi’s game against Ethiopia is a must win game. It is a crucial game and we must win in order to stand a chance of qualifying for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Flames will host the Walias this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in their second game in Group B of 2015 Afcon qualifiers.

Both sides lost their opening fixtures with Ethiopia going down 2-1 at home to Algeria while Malawi were beaten 2-0 away to ten-man Mali.

Malawi started with five defenders in that match as the Flames opted for a defensive approach but that is likely to change this afternoon as the team chases three points.

The strike-partnership of Gabadinho Mhango and Atusaye Nyondo is likely to return to the starting line-up after only coming from the bench in the away loss to Mali.

Coach Chimodzi and Captain Joseph Kamwendo both admitted a win for the Flames is imperative if Malawi want to book their ticket to next year’s tournament in Morocco.

Algeria and Mali currently lead Group B with 3 points each while Ethiopia and Malawi are still chasing for their first points of the group qualifying campaign.

Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers:

Group A                                       
Congo v Sudan (1630)
South Africa v Nigeria (2000)

Group B
Malawi v Ethiopia (1430)
Algeria v Mali (2130)

Group C
Angola v Burkina Faso (1800)
Lesotho v Gabon (1900)

Group D
Cameroon v Ivory Coast (1600)
Sierra Leone v DR Congo (1600)

Group E
Togo v Ghana (1800)
Uganda v Guinea (1830)

Group F
Mozambique v Niger (1700)
Cape Verde v Zambia (1900)

Group G
Botswana v Senegal (1900)
Egypt v Tunisia (2100)