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In spite of sitting on a comfortable 3-1 cushion from the World Cup group qualifying away leg, Malawi’s Flames have said they will not take things lying down against the visiting Ethiopia who have vowed to die fighting at the Civo Stadium in the capital Lilongwe on Saturday afternoon.
Flames’ caretaker coach Eddington Ng’onamo said on Thursday that he had advised his troops to forget about the 3-1 sweet victory in Addis Ababa and concentrate on Saturday’s game.
“The battle is not yet over. We have another 90 minutes remaining and if we are not careful, the visitors can easily turn the tables. Ethiopia are 3-1 down but they are not yet out. They have nothing to lose at the moment and are likely to come hard on us,” said Ng’onamo.
Indeed the battle is not yet over because the team that loses today will face a double blow of not participating in both World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers.
Ng’onamo also said his plans have not been affected by the absence of Russia- based professional Essau Kanyenda.
His striking partner South Africa-based Russell Mwafulirwa jetted in on Friday for the encounter.
“We will use the local strikers. This is their chance to show the nation that they can deliver the goods. We don’t have to rely on individuals because individuals are bound to face problems,” said Ng’onamo.
Kanyenda, who was on target twice in the first leg, has failed to make it, saying he will be meeting his officials.
However, first choice goalkeeper Phillip ‘MG 1’ Nyasulu, who sustained a shoulder injury during training this week, is back on his feet and is among the 18- man squad from which Ng’onamo and his coaching panel will choose the best 11.
With stiff competition observed in midfield during training, the technical panel will have problems in picking Flames’ engine room.
With experienced professionals Peter Mgangira, captain John Maduka and Peter Mponda and exciting locals Joseph Kamwendo, Fischer Kondowe and Robert Baggio Ng’ambi as candidates, Ng’onamo may be forced to play five midfielders or push Maduka upfront.
In the Ethiopian camp, coach Seyoum Kebede declared that his team had not come to visit Malawi but to do a job.
“We know Malawi have a big advantage but in football anything can happen. Malawi were not expecting to win 3-1 in Addis Ababa but they got the result. We have also come to get the results. Everybody in our country including the players was disappointed with the 3-1 result and we would like to make for that loss.
“We have not just come here to visit Malawi but fight up to the end,” said Kebede.
The coach said he had brought two Germany and two Belgium-based professionals.
The players, he said, belong to the lower divisions in the European leagues.
Flames probable line up: Goalkeeper Phillip Nyasulu, defence Patrick Mabedi, Emmanuel Chipatala, Itaye Nundwe, Allan Kamanga; midfielders Fischer Kondowe, Peter Mgangira, John Maduka, Peter Mponda, Joseph Kamwendo; striker Russell Mwafulirwa..
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