Malawi National Football Team’s fate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers will be known today after their Group D match against Ethiopia’s Walias at Zimpeto Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Flames’s hope of back-to-back qualification was revived after Egypt did the job for them by beating second-placed Guinea’s Syli Nationale 2-1 on Wednesday to qualify for the  2023 Ivory Coast  Afcon finals while also throwing the second slot from the group open.

The Flames going through the paces yesterday in Maputo before facing Ethiopia

Third-placed Flames, who have three points and Guinea at nine points can qualify for the finals while Ethiopia who lost twice to Syli Nationale are out of the race on head-to-head rule.

For Malawi, a loss or even a draw is not an option in this afternoon’s match.

The Flames need to beat Ethiopia to remain in contention as a draw will guarantee Guinea the second slot before the last qualifier between the two sides.

In an interview, interim coach Patrick Mabedi, who will be in  charge in his first competitive assignment, said for now, he is concetrating on the Ethiopia game.

He said: “I need to emphasise that we are focusing on the Ethiopia game. What will count at the end of the campaign is different from what we want now. So, we need to collect maximum points in the match against Ethiopia.

“We do not need to talk about something that is very far. I think that is very crucial for me and the team. We need to focus on this game and not talk about anything else. If we win here, then we can talk about the other game against Guinea. Our focus is to collect maximum points.”

Mabedi has entrusted this responsibility to youngsters, some uncapped before this tour such as Chikumbutso Salima, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Chifundo Mphasi, Lloyd Aaron, Innocent  Nyasulu and Robert Saizi.

However, the coach said he trusts that with guidance from seasoned campaigners such as captain John CJ Banda of UD Songo of Mozambique as well as Lloyd Njaliwa and Yamikani Chester of Costa do Sol of Mozambique as well, the Flames stand a chance of collecting maximum points.

However, Richard Mbulu of Costa do Sol and Peter Banda of Tanzania’s Simba, are doubful due to knocks.

Just like Malawi, Walias interim coach Daniel Gabremariam will also be without South Africa-based forward Abubaker Nasser who plays for DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns,  and veteran forward Gateneh Kibede.

 But Mabedi cautioned against reading much into the opponent’s camp.

He said: “The game of football is dangerous. You need to be careful. You may face someone who is more dangerous than those two. So we just need to prepare.”

Mabedi is expected to deploy the same 4-3-3 formation which he used against Mozambique with Brighton Munthali in goals, Stanley Sanudi as right back and Alick Lungu as left back while Denis Chembezi and Nickson Mwase will play in central defence.

CJ Banda, Chimwemwe Idana and Chester will play the midfield role while Kaonga, Mbulu  and Nkhoma, who scored against Mozambique, will start upfront.

On his part CJ Banda said the players are ready to die for their country.

He said: “It should not be business as usual. The things that we did wrong in the past should not be repeated this time around because we have an opportunity to qualify.”

Malawi won the first leg against Ethiopia 2-1 but went on to lose 1-0 to Guinea, 2-0 and 0-4 to Egypt.

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