Malawi coach Callisto Pasuwa reveals travel difficulties ahead of Egypt AFCON qualifier

Malawi head coach Callisto Pasuwa has provided an update on his team’s preparations for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt, revealing that travel complications have affected the initial stages of their training camp.

The Flames arrived in Egypt ahead of their third-round qualifying encounter against the Pharaohs, scheduled for Friday, November 13, at the Cairo International Stadium, with kick-off set for 8:00 pm.

However, the journey to Egypt proved demanding for the Malawian delegation, forcing the technical team to adjust their preparations and prioritise the players’ recovery before commencing full training.

Pasuwa explained that the team began their journey around midday before eventually arriving in the Egyptian capital in the early hours of the following morning. The late arrival meant that most players only managed to get some sleep between 4:00 am and 5:00 am.

Consequently, the coaching staff decided against organising early-morning stretching exercises, opting instead to allow the players additional time to recover from the exhausting trip.

The Malawi coach also disclosed that the team could not immediately proceed to the training ground because of the circumstances surrounding their arrival and the need to give the players sufficient rest.

Speaking about the situation, Pasuwa indicated that most of the players who had arrived at the time were locally based professionals, while several foreign-based members of the squad were still making their way to the camp.

He confirmed that Zimbabwe-based players Gomisan Chiwa and Lloyd Ngyala, alongside McDonald Lamek, were yet to arrive, with their arrival expected later in the day.

The situation was similar for players travelling from the United States, including Mosho Mwango and Kadouya, who were expected to join the squad the following day and would consequently miss the team’s initial training session.

Despite the delayed arrivals, Pasuwa remained relatively satisfied with the progress of the preparations, revealing that 15 of the 24 players invited for the assignment were already available in camp.

The coach explained that he would assess the condition of the available players during their first training session before determining how best to proceed with the remaining preparations.

Pasuwa, however, believes Malawi’s early arrival in Egypt could prove beneficial as they look to familiarise themselves with the local conditions ahead of the difficult assignment.

He considers the opportunity to spend three to four days in the country particularly important, as it would allow the players to adjust to the weather and atmosphere before facing one of Africa’s most successful national teams

The technical team also intends to hold discussions with the players who join the camp later, ensuring that they understand the tactical requirements and are mentally prepared for the challenge.

Pasuwa stressed the importance of motivating the squad and bringing everyone together as quickly as possible, particularly with the limited time available before the encounter.

Malawi will face a difficult examination against Egypt, who will be looking to take advantage of their home support and secure a positive result in the third round of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

For Pasuwa and his technical team, the immediate priority will be to ensure that the travelling difficulties do not disrupt their preparations as the Flames seek a positive result in Cairo.