Malawi National Football Team coach Mario Marinica says tonight’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group D qualifier between the Flames and Egypt’s Pharaohs is a 50-50 affair.

The two sides clash in the first leg of a double header at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo before the second leg slated for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

The Romanian tactician said much as he is aware that Egypt, led by Liverpool marksman Mohammed Salah, is a star studded outfit, both sides go into the match with equal chances.

Marinica said: “Like before with Senegal, Morocco or other teams we faced, we believe as the game starts, there are 50-50 chances. We want to defend chance to finish the game with good results for us.”

The coach, who had earlier exressed reservations with the late kickoff at 9pm, said despite the challenges he faced during the preparations, the Flames are ready for the match.

Malawi and Egypt in a previous match

Marinica said: “I could say that we are ready and good to go for the game. Our preparations by large were good.

“The preparations could have been better, but we talked about that before in terms of having the players in camp for more time to increase chances of getting them fitter.

“At the same time, it could have been better if the players played several matches for their clubs. But that’s the situation. We are prepared. We will adapt and we are ready to face a strong squad like Egypt.”

Marinica’s squad looks slightly different from the one that lost 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry in the last 2023 Afcon qualifier in June.

The squad comprises goalkeeper Charles Thom, defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Chembezi Dennis, Anthony Lungu, Gomezgani Chirwa and Lawrence Chaziya. There are also midfielders John CJ Banda, Chimwemwe Idana, Charles Petro, Micium Mhone and Yamikani Chester as well as strikers Frank Gabadinho Mhango, Khuda Myaba and Stain Davie.

New faces in this qualifier are Frank Willard, Patrick Mwaungulu, Miracle Gabeya and Kelvin Kadzinje while regulars Mark Fodya, Peter Banda and Brighton Munthali are returning to the squad, having missed the last assignment.

The Pharaohs, on the other hand, have a full squad led by skipper Salah and other foreign-based players Emam Ashour (FC Midtjylland, Denmark), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes, France), Omar Marmoush (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany) and Ahmed Hegaz (Ittihad Jeddah, Saudi Arabia).

On his part, captain CJ Banda said the match is crucial for the Flames as they aim for back-to-back Afcon qualification.

He said: “Egypt is a good team. But they are beatable. Every player knows how important the game is. We just have to remain focused. If we win or draw here, it means as we go home, psychologically we will have an upper hand.”

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said he agrees with Marinica that the match is a 50-50 affair.

He said: “History will tell you that Egypt have never been a threat to us. We just have to get our tactics right.”

The two sides have faced each other 10 times since 1978. Egypt have won five of the matches while Malawi won three of them. The other two ended in draws.

The post  We’re good to go—Marinica first appeared on The Nation Online.