2010 Afcon stars back Flames
Malawi National Football Team has received the backing of its former stars ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers scheduled for June.
The former players, Chiukepo Msowoya and Peter Mponda, who were instrumental in the Flames’ 2010 Afcon qualification, believe the Flames are capable of making it to Ivory Coast.
The Flames were drawn in Group D of the qualifiers alongside Egypt, Guinea and Ethiopia during a draw that took place on Tuesday evening.
Msowoya scored the lone goal for the Flames when they last met Egypt on June 14 2008 in a 2010 World Cup African Zone qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The former Orlando Pirates attacker said Egypt was a fearsome side at the time but they put up a gallant fight to win the match.
“Football is a dynamic game. The time we were facing Egypt, nobody gave us a chance. But we surprised the African continent and the entire world by beating them. This time around, I do believe that the current players will do the same,” he said.
Mponda, who captained the winning team, said the Flames should commence preparations for the qualifiers before month end.
“This is the time to start serious preparations because we now know who we are meeting. We have a team that is capable of repeating what happened during the 2010 campaign.
“Teamwork is what we need to beat Egypt. You have to be mature and know what to do when facing such a big team. The players also need to be focused. They should not forget that they are carrying the nation’s hopes,” he said.
During the famous victory, the Flames had Swadick Sanudi in goals with Mponda, James Sangala, Moses Chavula and Elvis Kafoteka in defence.
Hellings Mwakasungula, Joseph Kamwendo and Fischer Kondowe started in midfiled while Russel Mwafulirwa, Noel Mkandawire and Esau Kanyenda were deployed as strikers.
Msowoya came off the bench to replace Mwafulirwa with 11 minutes to go and scored the goal in the 93rd minute.
