The Malawi National Football team have suffered a 3-1 defeat against Burkina Faso in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, to make it two losses out of two opening matches.
Lassina Traore gave the host a two nil lead at half time after scoring a brace before Boureima Hassane Bande made it three midway in the second half. Flame’s consolation goal was scored by Zeliat Nkhoma.
With the result, Malawi are pointless at the bottom of group L. Their opponents, Burkina Faso have dislodged Senegal at the summit as the two sides are tied on four points while Burundi sits third with three points.
Here’s how I think the team is lacking right now
The only challenge with Malawian team is lack of quality in the squad, it’s a team full of average players who lacks technical abilities.
The team has a class problem as the players in today’s game continued to repeat same mistakes that costed us against Burundi last week.
From defense, Midfield to strikers
The goalkeeper George Chikooka has conceded similar goals in the last two matches, as our opponents have been scoring while he advances inside. The main problem has been communication with fellow players as well as poor judgement of the balls coming towards his goal.
Same with the defense which is not learning from the past errors. Like what Nickson Mwase did against Burundi, failing to clear a cross, this has also happened with Lawrence Chaziya in Burkina Faso’s first goal. For the second one the two centerbacks lacked compactness, speed and stamina as they failed to tame a defence splitting pass before being overpowered and outpaced by Burkina Faso striker.
The fullbacks as well, were no longer helpful as they struggled both defensively and offensively.
And again, the midfield has had so many challenges. They’ve been loosing balls at dangerous positions. Today an error by Lloyd Aaron at the centre led to the opponents goal. The defence mostly has been exposed after being left uncovered. And for the attacking part of the midfield I don’t remember when was the last time our attacking central midfielder provided an assist. Strikers have not been fed enough for them to score.
You can blame whoever you want, but I think as a team we are not good enough to compete at international level, the better team won today.
