AFCON 2015 Qualifiers: Malawi Eyes Victory Over Ethiopia to Keep Qualification Hopes Alive
Lilongwe, Malawi – 19 November 2014
Malawi will face Ethiopia in a must-win encounter this Wednesday as the Flames fight to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive. The Flames need a victory and will also be hoping for a slip-up from Mali in their match against Algeria to secure a place in the continental tournament next year.
As the final round of Group B qualifiers kicks off, all eyes will be on Malawi, who sit level on points with Mali but with a far worse goal difference. With just one match remaining, a win against Ethiopia is essential for Malawi, and anything less will almost certainly see them miss out on the chance to make a return to the AFCON after their last appearance in 2010.
Group B is set for an intriguing finale, with Algeria already guaranteed a place in Morocco next year, and Mali, Malawi, and Ethiopia all vying for the second qualification spot. The standings going into the final round are as follows:
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1. Algeria – 15 points (+9)
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2. Mali – 6 points (0)
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3. Malawi – 6 points (-4)
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4. Ethiopia – 3 points (-5)
At 5 p.m. local time, both the Ethiopia vs. Malawi and Mali vs. Algeria matches will kick off simultaneously, making for a dramatic finish to the qualification campaign.
Malawi’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, has named a solid starting lineup for the crucial clash with Ethiopia. In goal, the experienced McDonald Harawa will take his place between the posts, with a defensive quartet of Lanjesi, Nyirenda, Mzava, and Mlimbika providing cover. The midfield will see the likes of Kondowe, Ng’ambi Chimango, Kamwendo, and Simkonda work to control the game, while striker Joseph Kanyenda will lead the charge for the Flames, looking to add crucial goals to his tally.
“We know what we need to do,” said Saintfiet ahead of the match. “Our focus is on securing the three points and then hoping that the other result goes our way. We have to play with determination and never give up until the final whistle.”
For Malawi to qualify, they must first overcome Ethiopia, a side that has struggled in the qualifiers and will not make things easy. The pressure is on the Flames, but with the right result, they could still keep their AFCON dreams alive.
The final round of Group B qualifiers promises to be an exciting spectacle, with all four teams having something to play for. As the Flames take on Ethiopia, they will hope to secure a memorable qualification that could see them back at the AFCON for the first time in five years.
