Flames 3 steps down

The Malawi National Football Team has dropped from position 124 to 127 on the latest Fifa rankings.

The rankings were released Thursday, about 10 days after the Flames lost 4-0 to Egypt in a 2024 Africa Cup of Nations return leg qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The Flames lost the first leg 2-0 in Cairo.

The embarrassing defeats led to Football Association of Malawi deciding against renewing coach Mario Marinica’s contract, which expires this month end.

The soccer fraternity is anxiously waiting to know who will replace Marinica and lead the Flames to the away match against Ethiopia and a home encounter against Guinea.

Malawi are also expected to take part in this year’s Cosafa Cup.