* With this match having no consequence on the group standings, coach Brama Traore is likely to make several changes in personnel here
* To allow some of his fringe players to get some first-team minutes under their belts—SportsMole
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Flames’ last two games of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) 2025 were just ceremonial but at the same time for confidence building, which they got when they drew 0-0 with Burundi away at neutral venue in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.
It was the first positive result in the campaign in which they first lost 2-3 to Burundi in the opener at home, followed by 1-3 loss to Burkina Faso away and back-to-back 0-4 and 0-1 losses against Senegal away and at home turf, Bingu National Stadium respectively.
Thus the 0-0 result, under interim coach Kalisto Pasuwa and his 1st and 2nd assistants, Peter Mponda and Prichard Mwansa respectively, has salvaged Malawi’s pride which is expected to be enhanced tomorrow by beating Burkina Faso at Bingu by more goals in order to take the 3rd place.
Flames in training yesterday
From the win and draw with the Flames, Burundi have 4 points in which they scored 4 goals and conceded 9 while the Flames, whose underwhelming qualifying campaign has been owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, have conceded 11 goals and scoring three.
The goal difference between the two has Burundi at -5 while the Flames are -8; thus the need to beat Burkina Faso by more goals while praying that, Senegal — playing at home — should thrash Burundi at their Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio.
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From the 3-1 win over Malawi in Bamako back on Matchday two of the competition, Burkina Faso extended their unbeaten run against the Flames to seven matches (W5 D2 L0), dating back to June 2000 — as according online football prediction platform, SportsMole.
SportsMole further says: “With this match having no consequence on the group standings, coach Brama Traore is likely to make several changes in personnel here to allow some of his fringe players to get some first-team minutes under their belts.
“Ousmane Camara and Josue Tiedrebeogo were the only two players brought off the bench against Senegal and could be handed starts here, potentially for Cedric Badolo and Ousseni Bouda in midfield.
“[Spanish side] Benfica’s Issa Kabore played the full 90 last time out and could be given a rest, which will likely see Mohamed Ouedraogo brought into the defence alongside Issoufou Dayo and Edmond Taspoba.
“We say: Malawi 0-1 Burkina Faso — Malawi have been the worst side in this group by some distance and we feel they will struggle to get anything against this Burkina Faso side, who will want to sign off from the competition with a victory,” predicts SportsMole.