The Malawi National Football Team has been handed a tough draw in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.
The draw, conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, saw the Flames being drawn against 2021 Afcon champions Senegal, Burkina Faso and Burundi.
Senegal and Malawi are not strangers to each other, having met during the delayed 2021 Afcon finals group stage in a match that ended in a goal-less stalemate in Cameroon.
The two teams also met in 2007 in the Afcon qualifiers, with Malawi losing 3-2 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Burkina Faso are also not strangers to the Flames as the two teams were in the same group on their way to qualifying for the Afcon finals in 2021.
But this is the first time for the Flames to be drawn against Burundi in the qualifiers.
According to the Confederation of African Football, the qualifiers are expected to be played in September, October and November, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the finals, which will be staged in Morocco.
Football Association of Malawi Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka described the draw as tough.
“It is a tough draw, looking at the teams we have been drawn against. These are big teams in Africa. It will be an exciting journey for us if we make it.
“But for us to become the best, we have to beat the best teams in Africa. So, now that we know who we are facing, the coach [Patrick Mabedi] has to start preparing for the qualifiers,’’ Zakazaka said.
Malawi and Burundi shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate when they last met in 1987.
Senegal and Burkina Faso are the highest ranked teams in the group whereas Burundi are the lowest.
Flames former coach Kinnah Phiri said while the group is, indeed, tough, Malawi can, with good preparations, go through.
“We just need to prepare well for the qualifiers. We can fight and qualify for the finals from this group,” Phiri said.
During his time as coach, Phiri guided the Flames to the 2010 Afcon finals in Angola.
The Flames will be hoping to go to the finals for the fourth time after also making the grade in 1984 and 2021.
Renowned sports journalist Peter Kanjere said the Flames have plenty of homework to do if they are to advance from the group.
“Being drawn against Burkina Faso, Senegal and Burundi should not have been a big deal for the Flames squads of two to three years ago. But it is [a big deal] with this average side we are made to believe is youthful.
“This side is good for Southern African opponents but not the big boys of Africa. It is all about class, quality and depth, Kanjere said.
