The Malawi national football team, the Flames, are ready to face Liberia in a World Cup qualifier at Bingu National Stadium today. Head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has expressed confidence in his squad while acknowledging the stakes as Group H enters its final stretch.
Malawi is coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Namibia and sits fifth in the group with nine points, just one behind Liberia and Equatorial Guinea. Tunisia leads the group with 19 points, followed by Namibia with 12. With only two matches left after today, every point is now vital in the race for qualification.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Pasuwa said the team had a productive training session yesterday morning, particularly focusing on players who didn’t feature in the last match. However, he confirmed that Yankho Singo is out due to a illness, while Chikumbutso Salima remains a doubt.
Pasuwa warned against complacency, recalling how Malawi lost to Namibia in the first leg but bounced back to win away. “We can’t afford to underestimate Liberia. This isn’t the time for experiments, we need results,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about missed chances in front of goal, Pasuwa emphasized the need for composure and patience. He noted that rushed decisions had cost them potential goals, but the team is continuing to grow despite the limited preparation time between fixtures.
On team development, the coach highlighted ongoing efforts to strike a balance between youth and experience. He praised debutant Malango Mayele’s impact off the bench and hinted at more opportunities for new players, including Henry Kumwenda, in upcoming games.
Defensively, Pasuwa admitted the team still needs to tighten up, especially against crosses, a consistent weakness. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a compact shape both in attack and defence to avoid being exposed on the counter.
Pasuwa also lauded veteran striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango’s stunning long-range goal against Namibia, calling it an example for younger players. “That’s the instinct we want, quick decisions, awareness, and bravery in front of goal,” he said.
