Malawi National Football Team coach Kalisto Pasuwa says the team should be mentally ready as they play against Egypt on Friday.
This is a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, and it will be played at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt.
Pasuwa said the team will strive for a better result as they have rectified their errors in the previous game, where Malawi lost 3-1 to Angola in Luanda. Before that, the Flames defeated South Sudan 2-1 in September this year.
“We need to quickly adjust and control the game. We will go out there and make sure that we don’t let those guys in the first few minutes of the game,” he said.
The coach added, “Last time we could not get a result, but again we will go and fight and try to come up with a win,” Pasuwa said.
Sports analyst Dan Chemis said the game will be a tall order against the Pharaohs.
“Egypt has quality, and we do not have what they have. To be realistic, getting a draw is a bonus on our part,” Chemis said.
The last time Malawi beat Egypt was on 14 June, 2008 in a FIFA World Cup Qualifying game.
Chemis, however, said that history is unlikely to be replicated.
“We should not compare that squad with this current squad. The players we have in our camp, most of them are youngsters and they have been in camp on and off, so they need to gel,” he said.
The return match shall be played on 17 November, 2026 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Pasuwa called up 24 players, including internationally-based Mwisho Mhango and Adiel Kaduya.
Egypt’s last game in the qualifiers was against South Sudan, and they obliterated them 5-0 at Juba Stadium on 29 September 2026.
The teams are in Group B, and Egypt lead the rankings with 4 points, tied with Angola but separated by goal difference, while Malawi is third with 3 points and South Sudan is last with no points.
The 2027 AFCON will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
