Malawi’s Flames, determined to convert their critics and doubters into believers, must build on their 2016 Cosafa Cup promising start when plunging into tonight’s battle against the islanders of Mauritius in Namibia.
With Group B leadership at stake tonight (8:15 pm) at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Flames coach Ernest Mtawali has hinted that he will not tamper with the squad that beat youthful Angola 3-0 on Sunday night.
Gabadinho Mhango’s hat-trick sent the Flames to second in the group with three points at par with leaders Lesotho’s Crocodiles, who hurt Mauritius by a similar margin also on Sunday.
However, anything can happen on squad selection with the Malawi mentor, whose faith in the youth and refusal to give senior players preferential treatment, has not pleased some quarters.
“As you are aware, it has been a long time since we won by such a margin. I thank the boys for the hard work,” Mtawali said after yesterday’s morning training session.
“I can see that the boys are defending well and they are able to create chances. Talking about the Mauritius game, we are prepared for it psychologically. Mentally, we are ready. We are just looking for good results.”
The Flames must not only aim at winning, but also score more going into Thursday’s decisive meeting with leaders Lesotho’s Crocodiles. Only group winners will date South Africa in the quarterfinals.
Mhango, who is the leading scorer at the tournament, is set to start upfront alongside Chiukepo Msowoya with Joseph Kamwendo’s creativity, Isaac Kaliyati’s penetrative runs and Gerald Phiri’s long-range passing and set-pieces controlling the midfield.
Better goalkeeping is expected from the Flames’ Charles Swini, who was jittery against Angola, but has now managed two clean sheets. However, Mauritius will be tougher than the naïve Angolans.
Towering Peter Bell, whose ice-cool approach to the game is like that of Phiri Jnr, is the one to watch for Mauritius who have in 18 meetings with Malawi lost 10, won four and drawn four. Mauritius are nicknamed Club M.
Some 80 places separate the 107 ranked Malawi from Mauritius, who are coached by Joe Shupula. The islanders’ Cosafa Cup record of a single quarterfinal appearance pales into comparison with the Flames’ 2002 and 2003 appearance in the finals.
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