African teams are bracing for a busy Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) schedule following Confederation of African Football (Caf)’s announcement that qualifiers for the tournament will kick off in September after a draw on July 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Caf announced through a press release that the qualifiers will determine the first 24 teams to compete at next year’s Afcon finals in Morocco.
“Fresh from the thrilling successes of the 2023 Cote d’voire Afcon tournament, where the host nation defied all odds to claim its third title, a line-up of intriguing matches is expected for the journey to the 35th edition of the showpiece continental sporting event,” the statement reads.
Malawi will be among 48 nations, including four winners from the preliminary round who will be drawn into 12 groups of four teams each to battle it out for places at the finals.
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Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they are looking forward to the draw.
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“We are looking forward to the draw as we get set for another campaign. It is going to be a marathon of matches. It will be six matches in three months, so we will have to prepare very well to stand a chance of making it,” Zakazaka said.
The Flames failed to qualify for the 2023 edition after finishing third in their group with five points from six matches, with Egypt and Guinea making it from the pool as group winners and runners-up, respectively.
After poor performances in the qualifiers, Fam fired Romanian coach Mario Marinica and replaced him with Patrick Mabedi, who led the Flames to a goal-less draw with Ethiopia and a 2-2 stalemate against Guinea in the qualifiers.
The Flames arrived in the country on Wednesday from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where they lost 1-0 to the hosts in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
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The qualifiers are expected to resume next year in March with the Flames having three away matches and a similar number of home matches to wrap up the campaign.
Malawi are fourth in Group H of the qualifiers with six points from four matches, four points behind leaders Tunisia.
Namibia are second, having amassed eight points, whereas Liberia are third with seven points.
Equatorial Guinea are languishing in second place from the bottom with three points after Confederation of African Football docked them six matches for featuring an ineligible player.
Anchoring the table are Sao Tome and Principe with no point.
