Flames out to cause upset

The Flames are hoping to continue with their good run at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) by scorching the Atlas Lions of Morocco whom they meet in the round of 16 tonight at Stade Ahmadou Ahidijo in Yaounde, Cameroon.

After their first-ever qualification for the knockout stage, the Flames are determined to charm the football world with a major upset against a team that is unbeaten in 32 matches in open play.

A victory tonight will see the Flames qualify for the quarter-finals of the continental showpiece for the first time.

The match kicks off at 9pm local time and by 11pm, Malawians should know the fate of their team that has charmed their hearts so far at the African safari.

Flames vice-captain John ‘CJ’ Banda said tonight’s match will be the game of their lives.

He said: “We are ready for Morocco, we have had good preparations and we know how important this game is.

“We know they are a big team, but we are determined to go beyond this stage because we have a lot to gain.

“They are a good side, we played them twice in Afcon qualifiers three years ago, but anything can happen.”

Flames interim coach Marian Mario Marinica on Monday said he is upbeat his charges can cause an upset and march on.

He said: “The team is very well prepared, the players are working very hard, so I am very pleased with the players.

“Morocco are a fantastic team and they are one of the favourites. They are unbeaten in 30 matches, including 21 clean sheets.

“However, if we play with the same spirit that we demonstrated against Senegal and Zimbabwe, we can get a positive result.

“I believe we are mentally, tactically and physically prepared and with hardwork, belief and sheer determination, we can get what we want from this match.”

While the Moroccans have been impressive in the group stages, they haven’t really clicked going forward.

Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic was quoted by morocconews.com as having said he expects the Flames to come flat out.

He said: “On paper, we are the favourites, but football is played and won on the pitch and we will accord Malawi the respect they deserve.

“They have not reached this far by chance, they fought and earned their place. So, we need to take extra caution and prepare well.”

The Flames are buoyed by their goalless draw against the continent’s top-ranked side Senegal which sealed their place in the last 16.

They beat fellow southern African side Zimbabwe’s Warriors 2-1, but lost their opening group match 1-0 to the SyliNationale of Guinea in a contest which eight of their players were unavailable for selection due to Covid-19.

On the other hand, Morocco enjoyed a comfortable group stage run with two wins and a draw in their three games.

They edged Ghana 1-0 in their opener before beating Comoros 2-0 in their next game. They then played out a 2-2 draw against Gabon in their final group stage match.

The Atlas Lions are participating in the knockout stages of the continental showpiece for the third consecutive time and will be looking to go all the way for the first time in almost 50 years.

Morocco are ranked 28th in the world, 101 places above the Flames. They are second on the continent while the Flames are 35th.

The two teams have met 10 times with the Moroccans winning six, three ended in draws while Malawi have only won once.

been a Nomad and needs to be attached to the technical panel. He is wise in the ways of football, having played under high-profile coaches in Europe and within the continent.

“For now, he has been roped in temporarily until such a time that we review the coaching panel set-up.”

Kamwendo, who is also Malawi Under-20 national team assistant coach, said he is excited with his return to the Salima Sugar Company-sponsored outfit.

He said: “It feels good to be back. I am working with coach ‘Kika’ [Albert]. It feels good to be back and assist the team that gave me the platform to shape up my career.”

Kamwendo retired from active football in 2020 after a 20-year distinguished career that saw him play in Denmark (Nordsjaelland), Zimbabwe (Caps United), South Africa (Orlando Pirates), Democratic Republic of Congo (TP Mazembe) and Mozambique (LigaMaculmana).

For the second season running, the Nomads finished without a silverware. They finished last season third in the TNM Super League behind champions Nyasa Big Bullets and second-placed Silver Strikers.