Patrick Mabedi’s Malawi National Team faces a real test as they host third-ranked Africa heavyweights, Tunisia in their dream hunt for the World Cup qualifications.
Tunisia who have made six FIFA World Cups and twenty Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and participated in four editions of the Olympic football tournaments are coming into the game against the Flames after recording a drubbing 4-0 victory over Sao Tome De Prince in their opening game but they are yet to win in the Warm Heart of Africa in their two attempts.
Malawi who are unbeaten in their last nine games are heading into the crucial game at the back of a 1-0 historical win over Liberia in West Africa in a game that the team missed a lot of chances.
However, speaking in front of the press in Lilongwe on Monday, Mabedi said the team’s failure to take chances is not a concern saying the good thing is that the team is able to get into the final third and create scoring opportunities.
“The most important thing in football [is that] if you are able to get into the last third and finishing you have to keep on working on players’ minds and when they start scoring, no one will stop them.
“I believe that it can be tomorrow [against Tunisia], it can be in future. We are one team that is creating a lot of chances and that’s the good thing. We have been working on finishing, but it’s a process,” said Mabedi.
The Flames gaffer said he intends to build a team that will be respected in Africa with the current youthful squad that he has and he believes that his team can change the narrative of saying that Flames lose to the heavyweights.
“We have to take the mentality of fearing the opponent out,” he added. “We just need to treat and respect anyone who we are facing. We know that Tunisia is a very good team, we respect them but we don’t fear any team.
“We will go out there, improve where we left. We have everyone available for the selection tomorrow and we thank God that we have the full squad.
“This is a different generation. We want to go out there, improve and change the mentality to say we lose to this team because it’s 11 V 11. Anyone can beat anyone.”
Malawi and Tunisia are facing off for the eighth time on Tuesday. The Flames have two wins in this fixture, so too with the visitors while three games ended in stalemate.
Mabedi, CJ Banda call for the support from Malawians
Flames Captain and Coach John CJ Banda and Patrick Mabedi respectively have called for the Malawians to throng to the Bingu National Stadium to support the team in their real test against the Eagles of Carthage.
“We want them [supporters] to come in large numbers. We will entertain them and enjoy the game of football. We request the people to come and support the team and be with the players,” added Mabedi.
CJ Banda who accompanied the coach to the media briefing concurred with the Coach saying the Malawians should rally behind the team.
