Malawi head coach Kalisto Pasuwa has underlined the importance of a disciplined and focused approach as his team prepares to face Namibia in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier.
The Flames go into the match trailing their opponents by two points in Group H and will be aiming to secure a vital victory to keep their qualification hopes alive.
With just hours remaining before kickoff, Pasuwa has expressed confidence in his squad’s physical condition and tactical preparedness.
“We arrived at camp the day before yesterday with 16 players, and the rest joined us the following day. We had a full training session on Tuesday, which went very well,” Pasuwa told reporters. “All the guys were in good shape physically, and we hope they will be able to adapt quickly to the tactical demands of the match.”
Malawi will hold a final training session in the evening, making last-minute adjustments ahead of the encounter with the Brave Warriors.
Namibia not to be underestimated
Despite Namibia’s slight advantage in the standings, Pasuwa has warned against underestimating their opponents, emphasizing that every team in African football poses a challenge.
“People might think they are one of those small teams, but there are no small teams in Africa these days. These are the teams that will give you problems,” he said. “We have to approach this match with full concentration and do everything we can to get the result. We must be prepared to fight for every ball.”
Malawi will also look to leverage the experience of players competing in overseas leagues, a factor Pasuwa believes will give his side a competitive edge.
Their season is underway, unlike ours, so it’s good for us in terms of fitness.
Their exposure to a faster pace of play is an advantage, and they bring valuable technical knowledge to the squad,” he added.
Defensive solidity a key factor
Malawi enters the fixture with an impressive defensive record, having gone four consecutive matches without conceding a goal. Pasuwa has emphasized the importance of maintaining that solidity against Namibia.
It’s a great achievement for us. When you build a strong team, you start from the back,” he said.
”Tomorrow, our focus will be on ensuring we remain solid defensively and then build our attacks from there. In football, anything can happen, but our priority is to remain compact and disciplined.”
The crucial encounter between Namibia and Malawi is set to take place on Thursday at 16:00 GMT, with both teams eager to strengthen their position in the qualification race.
