Flames, Ghana rich history

Malawi calls the 12-0 punishment in 1962 at Rangely Stadium, now Kamuzu Stadium, as its worst defeat. Log onto Ghana Football Association website, then you have that result as the Black Stars’ best-ever.

So, when the Flames travel to Ghana on the weekend of September 7-9 for the first leg of the last qualifying round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals, there will be a rich historical context between the two nations.

Do the Flames stand a chance?

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah had this to say after the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round draw in South Africa a fortnight ago.

“Before the draw, I said any country that has reached this stage of the qualifiers is no push over. We are aware of the threat our Malawi possess. Recently, we saw how an improved side they are against Nigeria and Kenya,” Appiah told the BBC.

True, out of the 50-plus African teams, Malawi is now among the cream of 30 to produce 15 finalists to join hosts South Africa at next year’s Nations Cup finals.

There are a total of 15 groups, each comprising two teams. In qualifying to the last stage, the Flames have passed the test of being classified as among the continent’s top guns.

‘Flames can beat Ghana’

Hence, if the question is about the Flames’ capability to beat Ghana, then the answer is yes. In fact, Flames technical adviser Jack Chamangwana put the answer in bold letters.

“We can beat them [Ghana]. Every team that has reached this stage is good. Ghana are one of the best teams in Africa. We need to beat the best for us to be ranked among the best,” Chamangwana said last week.

At home, the Flames can beat the Black Stars. But on the road, there is huge doubt.

Since 2008 under Kinnah’s tenure, the Flames have lost twice in all competitions. They lost 2-0 and 1-0 to Angola and Burkina Faso in all competitions.

Equally big teams such as Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Togo and Africa kings, Zambia, have fallen at the Kamuzu Stadium. The likes of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, with all their Europe superstars, have barely survived in Blantyre.

The question becomes difficult to answer when looking at the prospect of Malawi snatching a point, let alone dimming the Black Stars at their own backyard.

In home matches, sound preparations will be a crucial factor but even with sound warm up matches, there is no guarantee that the Flames can hold their away.

This year, the Flames have drawn all four away matches while losing once.

The last time, Malawi won away at this level of competition was in Djibouti in 2009 when they won 3-0. Since that time, regardless of the profile of the opposition, the best the Flames have managed are draws.

Of course, a lot has changed between the Flames and Black Stars.

Thorough preparations

The last time the two sides met was in Swaziland where a goalless draw seemed a fair deal before they proceeded to Angola for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

“We matched them,” Chamangwana remembered that match. “We just need thorough preparations then we can do it.”

Chamangwana’s confidence is not totally misplaced as the landscape of African football has massively changed. Recently, we saw Central Africa Republic deny seven-time winners Egypt a second consecutive Nations Cup finals.

The Cosafa bloc is now home to Africa kings, Zambia.

“I always say in these modern days, there are no minnows so we are aware we need to be on guard and prepare well to edge them out and pick the slot for the Nations Cup finals,” Appiah noted.

Previous top nations such as Nigeria and Cameroon have exported too many quality players to Europe and their commitment when they return to represent their nations is never the same.

It is not a matter of taste that Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has opted to put his trust in local players. The superstars come back more to lead players’ rebellions than to deliver the goods.

Modern Malawi football cannot remember the last time Ghana played at Kamuzu Stadium. But on the weekend of October 12, the Black Stars will be in town.

The reaction by Flames coach Kinnah Phiri that his charges would be able to match the Black Stars pound by pound was hardly surprising.

It is part of his duty roaster to inspire his charges, making them believe climbing Mulanje Mountain with bare hands is possible.

Only if the coach matched his tough talk with merit in player selection, better fielding and sound preparations, then the Flames’ two-hour trip to South Africa next year should be a reality.

The 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists and 2012 Nations Cup semi-finalists are the powerful record that Ghana have. Asamoah Gyan, Ayew brothers Andre and Jordan are some of their top talents that can destroy careless opposition.

Ghana must never be underrated. The next two months will give a clear picture of whether the Flames’ ambition will be matched by reality.