* It’s too early to surrender. We have more games to play
* As the team lie 3rd in Group B with 3 points, one behind leaders Egypt and runners-up Angola
* Up next are back-to-back matches against Egypt next month
By Duncan Mlanjira
After the 1-3 loss to Angola on Tuesday night in their Group B Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Pamoja 2027 away, Malawi Flames are on 3rd position with 3 points — just one behind leaders Egypt and runners-up Angola.
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Thus coach Kalisto Pasuwa maintains that the defeat does not define Malawi’s qualification campaign as they are several matches still to be played.
The Flames now go into Matchday 3 & 4 in back-to-back assignments with Egypt in November, starting away in Cairo before the home match.
They will return to action in March 2027 for Matchday 5 against South Sudan and conclude the group campaign with a home match against Angola during Matchday 6 — with both fixtures scheduled between March 22-30, 2027.
Two teams will qualify for the Pamoja 2027 to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Pasuwa
“All is not lost,” insists Pasuwa. “It’s too early to surrender. We still have games to play,” he is quoted as saying by FAM Media.
Angola, mentored by AfCON winning Senegalese coach, Alou Cisse, first drew 0-0 with Egypt in Cairo and the Pharaohs went on to beat South Sudan 5-0.
The Flames struggled to beat South Sudan 2-1 at home, Bingu National Stadium and in this match, Pasuwa observes that his charges gave Angola too much respect in the first half at Estádio 11 de Novembro.
Felicio Joao gave Angola the early lead in the third minute before Agostinho Paciência doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 38th minute.
Malawi pulled one back on the stroke of half-time (45+2′) through an own goal by Gaspar and returned for the second half looking to get back into the contest.
But Valdemiro Domingos restored Angola’s two-goal advantage in the 70th minute to seal the 3-1 result.
Pasuwa told FAM Media that conceding early affected the team’s approach, with his charges dropping too deep and allowing Angola to take control.
“We gave too much respect to the opponent in the first half, leading to conceding early. After conceding, we sat at the back,” he is quoted as saying.
Starting XI
William Kalikota Thole (GK), Macdonald Rameck (Yankho Singo (46’), Charles Petro, Chembezi Denis, Blessings Singini, (Malango Mayele 46’), Dominic Loyd Njaliwa, Patrick Mwaungulu (Francisco Madinga (78′), Gomezgani Chirwa, Gaddie Chancy Chirwa (Richard Mbulu (78′), Babatunde Adepoju, Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Unused substitutes: George Chikooka (GK), Blessings Mpokera, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Robert Saizi, Adiel Kaduya, Festus Duwe, Willard Sande (GK), Ephraim Kondowe.
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