Malawi’s national team, the Flames, have promised to spoil the party when they take on the Zebras in the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group K qualifier at the UB Stadium in Gaborone this afternoon. (Kick off is at 3pm).
Initially, the game was penciled for Lobatse Sports Complex but had to be moved to the university stadia as the turf in Lobatse is not fit to host a game of this magnitude.
Malawi, who arrived in Gaborone on Wednesday, know that anything less than maximum points would put their chances of qualifying for their third AFCON finals in doubt.
The Flames first qualified for continental championships in 1984 but had to wait for 26 years before they made another appearance at the 2010 showpiece in Angola.
Speaking at a media briefing on Friday morning in Gaborone, Malawi’s technical director, Jack Chamangwana, said that his side is here for nothing less than maximum points. This is despite the Flames missing four of their key players, Joseph Kamwendo, captain Peter Mponda, Russell Mwafulira and Essau Kanyenda.
“I’ve never seen Malawi prepared (for the game) like this and people should expect a different ball game than when we played Botswana at home. We have come here for a result and will get that result on Sunday,” he said. Chamangwana pointed out that while they value the experience of the missing players, their absence would not affect their squad this afternoon. “We have played some of our qualifiers without some of them and we managed to perform well like when we beat Chad 6-2. We have promising young players in our team,” he continued. Chamangwana added that they would have liked to play the Zebras in Lobatse because that would have enabled more people to attend and see the good football they will display. Midfielder Robert Ng’ambi, who has just signed for South African Premier League side Platinum Stars from Black Leopards, Angolan-based Jacob Sangala, Orlando Pirates’ striker Chiukepo Msowoya and Peter Wadaba are some of the key players in the Malawian team today.
At least 200 Malawians are expected to travel for the game and cheer their side, hopefully, to victory.
Malawian head of delegation, Jabbar Alide, paid tribute to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) for the reception they have received since arriving in the country.
“We have been given good treatment and all our needs have been taken care of,” said Alide.
Zebras’ assistant coach, Kenneth Mogae, did not want to mince his words, saying that they are going all out to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifiers.
Botswana has already booked her place at the showpiece, which will be held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in seven months.
He said that they had two weeks of intensive preparations and he is happy about the side they have chosen for the day.
“We’re not going to take our foot off the pedal,” warned Mogae.
The hosts have registered five wins in the qualifiers, with the only draw being the away game against Malawi last year.
The Zebras top the table with 16 points accumulated from six games while Malawi are second with nine points from five games.
Mogae did not want to go into details as to why midfield kingpin, Dirang Moloi of Vasco da Gama, and Township Rollers’ speedster, Sekhana ‘Nandos’ Koko, have not made it into the team.
The duo were released on Thursday with Mogae saying that the choice of the 18 players for today’s game was based on their performance (in training) and fitness.
As expected the Zebras’ attack will be led by sniper Jerome Ramatlhakwana, ably supported by veteran Dipsy Selolwane.
Hard-working Mogogi Gabonamong will provide cover in the defence while the likes of Boitumelo Mafoko and Phenyo Mongala are expected to do the trick in the middle.
Referees for the day are from Senegal while the Match Commissioner comes from Zambia.
Admission for the game is P60 (grand stands) and P40 (open stands).
