Flames Eye Second Position

BY COSMAS WAYIYATSA

The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, are eyeing the second spot in the group K of the African Cup of Nations.

Speaking before his departure Flames coach, Kinnah Phiri, promised fireworks and that his charges will deliver come October 8th.

“I know the importance of winning this game and am hoping that every player is also aware of how vital is this game,” said Kinnah.

Commenting on the fitness and how capable is his charges to deliver, Kinnah said, “we have one player who is injured that’s Essau Kanyenda but the squad that we are taking is capable to give us our vital win,” said Kinnah.

He further said, “All what we want is back to back African Cup of Nations Qualification. We were there last time and we must be there next year as well as next of next year. That is our plan as a team,” said Kinnah.

In his part Flames captain Peter Mponda said every player must market himself.

“If a player wants to play in top flight leagues, we must market ourselfs and the best market for us players is the African Cup of Nations finals, because that is the place where most talent is identified.

The Flames captain, who missed Flames game against Tunisia at the Kamuzu stadium due to injury, knows that Chad will be a tough side to meet at its home soil.

“Chad will be hard to bet regarding that they managed to score two goals in our first league match at our home soil. So we must go flat out in order to realize our dreams of qualifying back to back to the African Cup of Nations.”

Flames who are in group K alongside Togo, Botswana, Tunisia and Chad. Botswana has already qualified and the battle is between the second place between Malawi and Tunisia. If all teams win there last assignment, Malawi will have an advantage as CAF will use head to head records. Malawi draws 2-2 against Tunisia away in Tunis and in return league Malawi draw 0-0. Since Malawi managed to score two goals away while Tunisia failed to score even a goal, Malawi is having advantage to go through.