National Sports

Flames set for showdown

Malawian soccer fans still have bitter memories of Flames’ failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Chad last year.

And, this afternoon’s contest at the same venue—Idriss Mahamat Ouya Stadium in Chad’s capital N’djamena—will evoke memories of that ordeal when the Flames slipped at the very end.

The Flames appeared within touching distance for a historic back-to-back qualification for the continental showpiece as they led 2-1, but a slip in the last minute of added time proved fatal when Chad equalised and, sadly, the Flames’ dream came to a heart-breaking end.

But coach Kinnah Phiri and stand-in vice-captain Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo said on Tuesday they will not be haunted by the events that led to their last-minute failure to qualify for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. They insist it is water under the bridge.

Kick-off is 4pm local time.

One thing is for sure, the Flames have a score to settle when they engage Chad as they begin yet another campaign in their quest to dine with the elite of African football at the finals in South Africa next year.

Kinnah said he is optimistic that his band of mostly local players will defy all odds and make up for the previous campaign’s failure.

After just two appearances at the continental soccer event (1984 and 2010), the Flames badly want another dance with the Nations Cup finals and Chipolopolo’s’s triumph at the 2012 edition in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea has not only inspired them, but also brought about pressure on them.

The Flames will be without the bulk of their seasoned key players such as injury-plagued skipper Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda, his deputy Elvis Kafoteka, Robert Ng’ambi, Russell Mwafulirwa, Esau Kanyenda and Peter Wadabwa, but the second-string side is determined to fly the Malawi flag with pride and create a strong bond between them and the nation.

Said Kinnah: “Our previous failure is all water under the bridge. We have picked ourselves up and the boys are determined to make up for what happened last time and give the nation some solace.”

He added that the approach will be cautious.

“Our aim is to get it over and done in the first leg and finish them off in the second one, but we will have to be cautious in our approach.

“We will fight for an early goal so as to unsettle them. The good thing is that we know their style of play,” said Kinnah.

Kamwendo said the focus is on the task at hand.

“We are set and looking forward to the game and the morale in camp is high. Everyone wants to be in the starting line-up,” he said.

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said the Flames need to start at full throttle.

“The vents that led to the team’s failure last year were painful, but I am sure that we drew many lessons from that experience. They must throw caution to the wind and be on the offensive,” advised Nyirenda.

Simplex Nthala is set to guard the posts whereas Angola-based centre-back James Sangala will marshal the defence alongside Limbikani Mzava, stand-in captain Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula and either Foster Namwela or Pilila Makupe.

Kamwendo and Davie Banda are expected to keep the engines running at the heart of the pitch whereas diminutive Frank Banda and rookie winger Chimango Kaira will orchestrate play from the flanks.

Spain-based Robin Ngalande, who was expected in Chad last night, is tipped to partner Atusaye Nyondo upfront ahead of Chiukepo Msowoya. Ngalande was stuck in France for two days due to bad weather in Europe.

Chad have called their best arsenal for the match including their Tunisia-based skipper Ezechiel Ndoussel who scored the late equaliser in the previous encounter. Their other potential match-winners will be Karl Max Bathlemey who plays for Difaa El Jadida in Morocco, France-based Mahamat Labbo and Leger Djime who turns out for Al Nasr in Egypt.

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