Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has played the ball into the court of the Flames, challenging them to qualify for the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time.
Malawi are set to make their second appearance at AFCON since the 2010 edition held in Angola and their third overall in the country’s history during which time the team hardly won a game let alone went past the group stages.
In their maiden AFCON appearance in 1984, Malawi lost twice and drew once in Ivory Coast before bowing out then in the 2010 edition, beat Algeria 3-0 then lost to Angola 2-0 and Mali 3-1.
Now, Nyamilandu, a Flames defender who was part of the bunch that was 45 minutes away from qualifying for the 1998 AFCON finals, has challenged the current modest generation to punch above their weight.
FAM website says Nyamilandu made the remarks when he addressed the Flames at La Valle de Bana hotel in Cameroon ahead of the AFCON kickoff on Sunday. Malawi open the floor against Guinea on Monday in a Group B contest.
“We must make a record which we have never done in the past. Last time in 2010, we went to Angola we beat the strongest team of the tournament Algeria,” Nyamilandu is quoted saying.
“But we lost the other two matches and bowed out. When we beat Algeria there were huge celebrations in Malawi and up to now Malawians still remember that match.
“In 1984 during our maiden appearance, we drew 2-2 against one of the tournament’s favourates, Nigeria, and one of our stars Clifton Msiya scored the goal of the tournament in that match. People still remember that.”
Nyamilandu, the ever optimistic former Fifa Council Member for Ango-phone African countries, challenged the Flames to leave their mark at the expanded AFCON that comprises 24 teams six groups of four teams each.
“What will Malawians remember you for? When we leave this tournament will Malawians remember you for good things or bad things? Malawi should not remember you for losing 10-0 or scoring own goals or for indiscipline. We must leave a mark here by qualifying for the knockout stages. You must become the first generation in our history to go past the group stages.
“This a unique team. You qualified nice and clean with good results and you can do more than what others did before. Nothing is impossible,” Nyamilandu is quoted saying.
The Flames are in Group B alongside Guinea, Zimbabwe and Senegal. A fter facing Guinea on Monday, they take on Zimbabwe on January 14 then Senegal on 18 January.