The Malawi National Football Team, known as the Flames, has made a strong start in the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers, taking an early lead in Group B. Their opening-day victory over South Sudan and a draw between Egypt and Angola have put them in a favorable position. The Flames secured a 2-1 win against South Sudan at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with goals from Babatunde Adepoju and Lloyd Njaliwa.
The results of the opening matches have placed Malawi at the top of Group B with three points. Egypt and Angola are close behind with one point each, having played out a goalless draw. South Sudan currently sits at the bottom of the group without any points. This strong start is significant for the Flames as they aim to qualify for the finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.
Malawi's head coach, Kallisto Pasuwa, has acknowledged that while the team secured maximum points, there is room for improvement in their performance. Pasuwa noted that the team started well but lost momentum after scoring, allowing South Sudan to gain possession and put pressure on the hosts. He emphasized the need to address the issue of managing leads and preventing lapses in concentration that could cost them in future matches.
Pasuwa identified the team's tendency to retreat into defense when ahead as a problem that needs to be rectified. He attributed some of the issues to mental aspects, stating that the team needs to work on maintaining leads and avoiding conceding unnecessary goals. The coach expressed confidence that with continued work, the team can improve and secure more wins in the qualifiers.
The coach also defended his decision not to introduce United States-based forward Mayele Malango during the match, citing that some players arrived shortly before the game and had not trained sufficiently with the squad. Pasuwa explained that he had to choose players he believed could perform well, given the limited time some had to integrate with the team.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya congratulated the Flames on their opening victory, describing it as a morale booster. Haiya praised the team's persistence and determination against a resilient South Sudan side. He thanked supporters for their encouragement and urged the team to build on the result as they continue their journey in the qualifiers.
The Flames are set to face Angola on October 6 in their next match. A victory in this encounter would strengthen their position in the race for a place at the finals. With the right mindset and improvements in performance, the team aims to maintain their momentum and achieve success in the qualifiers.
Key points
- The Flames secured a 2-1 win against South Sudan in their opening match of the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
- Malawi tops Group B with three points, ahead of Egypt and Angola who have one point each.
- The team will face Angola on October 6 in their next qualifier match.
