Flames search for face saver

The Flames will be out to avoid a successive bottom-place finish when they face hosts Botswana in a third-place play-off of the Mukuru Four Nations Tournament this afternoon. The setting is Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown. The Malawi National Football Team lost its opening match 9-8 on post-match penalties to regional rivals Zambia’s Chipolopolo, who featured a second-string side, including Under-17 rookies on Saturday.

Apart from their injured South Africa-based captain Frank Gabadinho Mhango, coach Kallisto Pasuwa has the rest of his arsenal available, but the team was out of sorts against the Zambians, especially in the first half, in which they had no attempt on target. In an interview yesterday, the Flames gaffer stressed that he is not under pressure amid growing public interrogations over his rebuilding drive which seems to be headed for eternity. “Ultimately, the buck stops at me as the coach, but I am not pressing the panic button because this is a project in progress,” he said.

“This is a different game altogether, but we will have to be at our best to get a win. How we approach the game will also be vital.” Pasuwa also said they will be without three key players, defender Charles Petro and mifdielder Lloyd Aaron, who have returned to their respective clubs and injured striker Richard Mbulu. “Their absence might affect us, but it also gives others a chance,” he said.

[paywall]

In the game against Zambia, Pasuwa handed Germany-based teenage attacker Mwisho Mhango his debut which lasted 70 minutes. On the other hand, just like Zambia, Botswana coach Morena Ramoreboli has settled for a predominantly youthful side which lost to Zimbabwe 0-3 in their opening match. He was quoted by mmegi.bw as having said that while his priority is to use the tournament to build a team for the long-term, the Zebras will try to salvage something from the tournament with a win.

“We are currently navigating a necessary transition phase, but we will fight for a win,” he said. In their last eight meetings, the Flames have won once while Botswana have triumphed five times with two contests ending in stalemates.

[/paywall]