BY MABVUTO KAMBUWE:
It is make or break as Malawi under-20 national football team and South Africa’s Amajita face-off in the second-leg match of the third and final qualifying round of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
After a 19-year wait, the junior Flames are 90 minutes away from reaching the Promised Land.
This is a must win match for the junior Flames if they are to achieve their dream of qualifying for the 2019 Afcon finals in Niger.
But it is tricky as the visitors just need a scoring draw to progress on away goals’ rule after the first-leg match ended goal-less at Moruleng Stadium in South Africa last Sunday.
In this match, the junior Flames hope to utilise home ground advantage, having struggled in previous matches.
Malawi are winless at home in this competition, having drawn 0-0 against eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) in the first-leg match, before losing 1-2 to Angola in the second-round at the same Lilongwe venue.
But forget about recent statistics, the junior Flames are fired up to break the home jinx in the competition.
Malawi Coach, Meke Mwase, said his charges can claim their first home win of the competition.
Looking composed in training on Wednesday, Mwase delivered an inspiring message to the nation.
“The players know the importance of the game. We are ready, ready and ready to do it for the county. We have to play our game and make sure that we get the result we want,” Mwase said.
Mwase is banking his hopes on Kenya- based forward Andrew Malisero, Peter Banda and Chinsinsi Maonga to score goals.
As usual, Captain Charles Thom will be between the sticks with Kelvin Kadzinje, Hadji Wali, Timothy Silwimba and Charles Petro likely to form a rock-solid defence.
But Malawi must be careful against Amajita who have quality players, including some drawn from top teams such as Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Amajita Coach, Thabo Senong, told South African media that the battle is not over yet.
“The game is not over. We just have to concentrate, continue to be solid, make sure we don’t concede in Malawi, create chances and then try to score some goals,” Senong was quoted as saying by www.timeslive. co.za.
Amajita will rely on Promise Mkhuma, Lyle Foster and Kobamelo Kodisang.
The junior Flames have never qualified for the continental showdown since their last appearance in 1999 in Ghana whereas Amajita finished fourth in last year’s Afcon finals held in Zambia.
South Africa also took part in the Under-20 World Cup finals in South Korea last year.
Fast facts:
Malawi
The junior Flames knocked out Swaziland on an away goals’ rule after a 1-1 aggregate tie with Swaziland before defeating Angola 5-3 over two legs. Malawi lost 1-2 to Angola at home before overturning the tables with a 4-1 victory in Luanda.
South Africa:
Amajita were seeded in the first-round and joined the competition in the second-round. They beat Mozambique 4-1 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw away in Mozambique before beating their opponents 3-0 at home.
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