There it is. The much-anticipated day is here. Flaming Malawi will hope to avoid last edition’s embarrassment where they finished the group stages with a negative goal difference. They managed to win just one game where they beat Ethiopia at Bingu National Stadium in front of thousands of Malawians.
The team is opening their journey to the African Cup of Nations in different situations. In 2022, Malawi magnetized supporters from all walks after displaying a stellar performance at the delayed 2021 AFCON finals played in Cameroon. The Flames, under Mario Marian Marinica,, finished in the Round 16, making the record in the process -reaching knock-out stages for the first time.
Gabadinho Mhango scored twice from penalty spots in a game that gave Malawians hopes that they would make a quick return to the finals of the tournament.
Burundi finished with a negative goal difference, too, with four points behind Cameroon and Namibia. The two teams will have to do it against all odds with Senegal and Burkina Faso betted to qualify for the finals of the tournament.
Mabedi might face Mario Marian Marinica’s misfortune. The Romanian was allowed to leave the Flames soon after the expiry of his contract, and he was given the target of taking the team back to the AFCON finals, which he failed.
Patrick Mabedi was tasked to win the Cosafa Cup, finish third in the World Cup Qualifiers, and qualify for the 2025 AFCON finals. He might have already missed the two targets and qualifying for the finals of this tournament remains the only way to escape from the Football Association of Malawi’s sacking.
Mabedi is fighting for a place at the AFCON finals and also fighting to keep his job secured.
“To be honest, Burundi is very good, and we are underdogs,s, but we will try our best to do better,” said Mabedi. ’’We have done our homework. Burundi is a very good team; they can run with energy at the same time. Anyone who is good also has weaknesses.”
Though should the Flames fail to get a home win back-to-back – they are coming from a 3-1 win over Sao Time, Patrick Mabedi will have an excuse of having little time to prepare for the game with his players. The Flames had one full training session ahead of the Burundi clash.
However, players said they are ready for the game despite being in camp for a few days. “Every player has been training and playing games at his Club. It will not be an excuse.
’’We are motivated as players to win the game. We appeal to Malawians to come in large numbers and give us support we need,” said Captain, John Banda.
The two sides met in 1987 in three matches as Burundi beat Malawi 4-2 but they settled for 1-1 draws in two matches. Burundi is coming from a 3-1 victory over Seychelles in the World Cup qualifiers. They also drew 1-1 against Kenya at BNS in June.
