Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, are all but out of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying race after losing two opening matches.
The Flames were hapless as they succumbed 3-1 to Burkina Faso at Stade Du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, on Tuesday night, five days after they lost 3-2 to Burundi at Bingu National Stadium.
This means the Flames would need a miracle to squeeze through from Group L as they are bottom in the pool without a point from two matches, four points behind joint leaders Burkina Faso and Senegal.
They are three points behind Burundi.
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In post-match interview on Tuesday, Flames coach Patrick Mabedi conceded that the team’s chances were slim following two losses.
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“We have to face the reality. Our chances are slim because we have already lost six points in two games and we are at zero. Other teams have three and four points and, so, us catching them might be very difficult,” Mabedi said.
The Flames will face former African champions Senegal on October 7 away in Dakar before hosting them seven days later.
Mabedi was disappointed with the performance of the team in two matches.
“This can also be a wakeup call for us. We were not good enough and we could not match them. It is bad that we conceded six goals in two matches. It is pathetic. It is a shame for us,” Mabedi said.
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Following the two losses, pressure is mounting on Mabedi to leave the stage.
However, Mabedi, who recently bemoaned poor preparations, insisted he was not under pressure.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) First Vice President Madalitso Kuyera said while the Flames’ performance had not been satisfactory, they would wait for reports from the technical panel.
“As Fam, on behalf of the coach and players, we apologise to all Malawians for the performance of the team. The national team is the weakest link in our efforts to transform the game,” Kuyera, who is the chairperson for the Fam technical sub-committee, said.
Mabedi signed a two-year performance-based contract last year.
Sports analyst George Chiusiwa said following the embarrassing defeats, the Flames chances are slim.
He said Malawi football had structural, institutional and fundamental problems beyond the coaches.
“While the coach is being blamed for the incomprehensible and shameful beatings at the hands of Burkina Faso and Burundi, the players should also be held accountable.
“Football is a system and all actors in the game are responsible for either wins or losses,” Chiusiwa said.
Two top teams from Group L will qualify for the Afcon finals, which will be staged in Morocco next year.
Malawi last qualified for the Afcon finals in 2021 and went on to reach their first ever round of 16 stage in Cameroon.
