Malawi National Football Team Steps Up Preparations for 2027 Afcon Qualifiers Against Egypt

The Malawi National Football Team, also known as the Flames, has stepped up its preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Egypt. The team held its second training session on Wednesday in Cairo, after arriving in the Egyptian capital on Monday. Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa had 22 players out of the 24 summoned for the double header against Egypt.

The team is expected to be joined by United States-based forward Adiel Kaduya, who was expected to join camp on Thursday night. The Flames held their first training session in Cairo on Tuesday night, as preparations intensify for the Group B encounter. Football Association of Malawi (Fam) Communications Officer Collins Nsunza said the team was settling down well and that all players currently in camp are fit, including captain Richard Mbulu.

During their first training session, Pasuwa had 13 foreign country-based players, including Mbulu, Mwisho Mhango, Washali Jaziya, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu, and Macdonald Lameck. However, the team will face Egypt without goalkeeper William Thole, who was dropped due to lack of game time in Zimbabwe. Other players who have not made it include Dennis Chembezi and Mayele Malango due to injury and club commitments, respectively.

This is a crucial match for the Flames, as it will decide their fate in the 2027 Afcon qualifiers. The Flames are third in Group B with three points from two matches, a point behind Egypt and Angola. The team started its campaign with a 2-1 win over South Sudan at Bingu National Stadium, followed by a 3-1 loss to Angola.

Egypt, on the other hand, go into the match with the Flames after registering a 5-0 victory over South Sudan and a goal-less stalemate with Angola. Two top teams will qualify for the Afcon finals, to be staged in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya next year. Malawi last qualified for Afcon finals in 2021 in Cameroon, where they reached the round-of-16 stage for the first time in their history.

However, Malawi lost 2-1 to Morocco in the round-of-16 stage. The Flames' coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, faces a goalkeeper dilemma ahead of the crucial match against Egypt. The team's preparations are being closely monitored, and fans are hopeful that the team will secure a win against Egypt.

The match against Egypt is scheduled to take place on Friday at Cairo National Stadium. The Flames' performance in the 2027 Afcon qualifiers will be a major test of the team's skills and strategy. Key points: The Flames are third in Group B with three points from two matches. Egypt and Angola are currently ahead of the Flames in the group standings. The match against Egypt is crucial for the Flames' chances of qualifying for the 2027 Afcon finals.

Key points

• The Flames are third in Group B with three points from two matches.
• Egypt and Angola are currently ahead of the Flames in the group standings.
• The match against Egypt is crucial for the Flames' chances of qualifying for the 2027 Afcon finals.