Flames to warm crocodiles
By Mabvuto Kambuwe:
Malawi national football team steps onto the Sesotho Stadium turf with a mission to burn Lesotho in a strength-testing match this afternoon.
The two teams were scheduled to meet in the first match on Friday but it was called off after Fifa declined to approve two friendlies in a space of three days.
This meant that the Flames and Likuena (crocodiles) could only meet today.
Malawi last faced Lesotho at Bingu National Stadium during a friendly in 2017 which ended 1-1.
Today’s match gives Flames Coach Meck Mwase the opportunity to prepare his charges for crucial 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Mwase will likely feature two teams to give everyone a feel of the match.
After the first training session in the mountain kingdom on Friday, Mwase said he was optimistic that his charges would benefit a lot from the match.
“We wanted to play two games so that we assess all the players, but playing one game is equally important. We will find a way of featuring all players so that they get a feel of the match,” Mwase said.
Mwase has travelled with two squads including foreign-based players Yamikani Chester, Gabadinho Mhango, Robin Ngalande, Gerald Phiri Junior, Richard Mbulu and stand-in captain John Banda.
The on-field leader said players were ready for the match.
“We want to do a good job for the sake of the nation. We will put in 100 per cent to ensure that we prepare well for crucial games ahead,” Banda said.
Mwase has picked goalkeepers Brighton Munthali and Ernest Kakhobwe for the encounter, with Stanley Sanudi, Charles Petro, Peter Cholopi, Precious Sambani and Dennis Chembezi expected to compete for places in defence.
The midfield has Banda, Mike Mkwate, Phiri Junior, Micium Mhone, Chikoti Chirwa and Chimango Kaira.
Mhango and Mbulu are expected to spearhead the Flames attacking formation.
Malawi were drawn in Group B of the Afcon qualifiers alongside Uganda, Bukinafaso and South Sudan.
The Flames also qualified for World Cup group stages after beating Botswana 1-0.
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