Flames cautious on mauritius game
Flames coach Ernest Mtawali says there is no room for complacency as the Flames take on Mauritius this evening in their second Cosafa Castle Cup Group B match at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
The coach called for tactical discipline and maturity from his charges to avoid any slip-ups as the Flames gun for a second victory following their opening game 3-0 win over the youthful Angola’s Negras Palancas on Sunday courtesy of Gabadinho Mhango’s hat-trick.
The Flames tie with Lesotho’s Likuena at the summit of the group. Lesotho also won their first game against Mauritius 3-0.
“We are not yet there. We need to take each game as it comes. We should keep the momentum and make sure we win all our group games. There is no time to relax,” said Mtawali.
On this evening’s opponents, Mtawali said although Mauritius lost 3-0 to Lesotho, they should not be underrated.
“This is football. Anything can happen. This is why we have to be very careful and respect our opponents,” he said.
Mtawali is likely to maintain his first 11 with Charles Swini in goals, Harry Nyirenda, Francis Mlimbika, Miracle Gabeya and Stanley Sanudi in defence while Rafiq Namwela and Joseph Kamwendo will be deployed in central midfield with Isaac Kaliyati and Gerald Phiri Jnr orchestrating play in the wings. Upfront Gabadinho and captain Chiukepo Msowoya will lead the attack.
Msowoya said they were taking every game seriously.
“These days there is no underdog in football,” the Nyasa Big Bullets forward said.
Angola and Mauritius are on third and fourth positions respectively.
If Malawi beat Mauritius today, they will stand a better chance of reaching the quarter-finals depending on the results from the other match between Angola and Lesotho which kicks off 6:30pm.
The Flames’ match will kick off at 8:30pm Malawi time. n
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