Malawi National Football Team players are oozing with confidence as they face Namibia’s Brave Warriors in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this evening.
The Flames go into the match with a spring in their step following three consecutive victories in the last four matches in all competitions.
Malawi registered a 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after a goal-less draw against Burundi.
They defeated Comoros 2-0 in both legs of African Nations Champions (Chan) first round matches early this month.
On top of that, the Flames have kept four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions.
Interestingly, the Flames are also unbeaten against Namibia in the last five matches.
The recent most encounter between the two teams ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the 2021 Cosafa Cup.
But the Flames have won three matches against Namibia in the last four matches.
The Flames will be looking for their first home win against the Brave Warriors since 1997.
Namibia have beaten Malawi four times at home.
In 1998, Namibia claimed a 1-0 victory over Malawi in Afcon qualifiers before registering 2-1 victories in international friendlies in 2000 and 2007.
Namibia last beat Malawi 0-1 in an international friendly match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre in 2011.
Today, buoyed by the home crowd, the Flames will be looking to secure a vital home win against the Brave Warriors to boost their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification hopes.
Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa said Namibia were no longer pushovers.
“People might underrate Namibia as one of the small teams but there are no small teams in Africa nowadays. These are teams that will give you problems.
“Going into the match, we need to put our minds together to come up with a win,” Pasuwa said.
Pasuwa has all the weapons available for selection.
South Africa-based striker Frank Gabadinho Mhango and Mozambique-based striker Richard Mbulu will likely lead the attack.
Goalkeeper William Thole will likely start ahead of George Chikooka, with Dennis Chembezi, Charles Petro, Macdonald Lameck and Alick Lungu providing cover.
Currently sitting fourth in Group H with six points from four matches, Malawi can overtake Namibia with a victory in today’s match.
Namibia, on the other hand, are also oozing with confidence as they are undefeated in the qualifiers.
The Brave Warriors are second with eight points from six matches.
However, despite their good record in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, they have struggled in the last seven matches.
Namibia coach Collin Benjamin has included Peter Shalulile and Deon Hotto.
Malawi will leave for Tunisia tomorrow for Monday’s clash against the Carthage Eagles.
