Team manager James Sangala says the Flames should aim at getting past the group stages of the 2019 Cosafa Cup after pathetic results in the past three editions of the regional showpiece.
Malawi have been drawn in Group B alongside Mozambique, Namibia and Seychelles and the group winner will face South Africa’s Chipolopolo in the quarter-finals.
Group A has Angola, e-Swatini (formerly Swaziland), Comoros and Mauritius and the group winner will face Zimbabwe’s Warriors.
This year’s tournament will be staged in Durban, South Africa from May 25 to June 8.
“Our results, especially in the past two editions, have been disappointing and to say the least.
“Much as we would not want to put ourselves under pressure, getting past the group stages this time around should be the target and then we can take it up from there,” said Sangala.
Analysing the Flames group, the former Flames skipper said Mozambique and Namibia could be the stumbling block.
“We are looking at the group on two fronts; on paper it is quite a fair group, but on the other hand, teams like Mozambique and Namibia have gives us problems at times in the past. So, we will have to exercise caution,” he said.
On his part, Flames captain John ‘Kintu’ Lanjesi said the Flames have the potential to emerge group winners.
“It is not an easy group, but as the same time I would also say it is fair. Nevertheless, it will all depend on our commitment and self-belief.
“Looking at how we have performed in the last two games [against Morocco and e-Swatini], we have the potential to do well, but there will be need to give out something extra,” he said.
The other quarter-final contests will involve Lesotho and guest side Uganda’s Cranes while hosts South Africa’s Bafana Bafana date Lesotho’s Likuena.
The four winning quarterfinals advance to the Cup semifinals, while the losing teams will move in to the Plate competition. n
