AFCON 2021: Flames Aim To Illuminate Group B, With Mwase At The Wheel

The Football Association of Malawi is clear on her stand of maintaining coach Meke Mwase at the AFCON finals in Cameroon, for what will be only their 3rd participation in 33 editions.

Team Bio

Malawi, a South – east African country made up of more than 19 million inhabitants, has overtime, made huge strides in the development of the beautiful game.

The country’s first participation in an AFCON tourney came in 1984, in Cote D’Ivoire. Led by Scotsman Danny McLennan, they ended bottom in group B.

Paired in a tough group against: Nigeria, Algeria and Ghana, Malawi managed only a point from a draw against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Malawi went on to miss out on the next 12 tournaments from 1986 – 2008, before making her return in 2010.

The 2010 edition hosted by Angola had a local; Kinnah Phiri in charge of the team, on their way to an 11th – place finish in the competition. Malawi was grouped on that ocassion with hosts – Angola, Algeria and Mali.

Malawi stunned Algeria via a three nil margin in their group opener before conceding defeats to Angola and Mali. The flames have managed 6 goals in two AFCON tournaments they participated in.

Road To The Tournament

Malawi qualified runners-up in group B, behind group leaders Burkina Faso. They picked 10 points in 6 games; 3 wins and one share of the spoils.

It all came down to the last day of play, when Richard Mbulu scored after 16 minutes, against Uganda Cranes, to consolidate a second place in the group for team Malawi.

Coach Meke Mwase

Meke Mwase has been a player for Malawi from 1996 – 2002. The erstwhile Big Bullets defender was appointed interim manager – first in 2019, before eventually getting the job that year. Mwase, 49, is expected to make it through the next round of the competition. For his playing style, the gaffer thrives with a counter – attacking football system, and quick wingers alongside forwards who can hold up play. This is Mwase’s first major competition since he took over some 2 years back.

Players To Watch

Richard Mbulu, the man who scored Malawi’s goal that led them to the tournament in the first place, is a center forward with massive structure, and possesses good hold up play. Mbulu is Meke’s ideal kind of player up top, and if Malawi should have a chance, he needs to be at his frightening best. The 27 year old has scored 5 times in 27 games for country. Mbulu virtually won Malawi 6 out of 10 points at the qualifiers, scoring solitary goals – in games against Uganda and South Sudan.

Gerard Phiri Junior

28 – year – old newly acquired Al – Hilal forward – Gerard Phiri Junior, is equally a complete package on his day. He scored once during the qualifiers – and could really hit hard if he gets the right kind of services needed.

Limbikani Mzava

Captain Limbikani Mzava is utterly dominant at the back. With him in defense, Malawi managed four clean sheets. Limbikani’s know – how will hugely be put to test when his team goes up against Juggernauts like Senegal, in group B.

Malawi and coach Meke open their AFCON 2021 campaign against Guinea at 6 pm local time on January 10. Games against Zimbabwe (January 14) and Senegal (January 18) is Malawi’s complete program.