Malawi look to South African stars today
Malawi look to SA stars today
Posted: 2010-07-09 06:48
Malawi will get their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification bid off today hoping to reach the finals of the premier continental competition in consecutive editions for the first time led by a cast of South African based stars.
The Flames who are in Group K - the only with five teams of the qualifying pools kick off their campaign far away in Lome against Togo looking to make a statement about their intentions in a team captained by Black Leopards' midfielder Peter Mponda.
Mponda will have familiar company in midfield in Robert N'gambi and the recalled Fischer Kondowe who are all his team mates at Leopards.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Josephy Kamwendo, Swadick Sanudi of Dynamos, Jimmy Zakazaka (Bay United), Jacob Ngwira of Carara Kicks make up the rest of the South African-based players that will be coming up against the Hawks.
Thanda Royal Zulu striker Peter Wadabwa and Moses Chavula of Nathi Lions miss out due to injury but a lot is expected of former PSL star Esau Kanyendu.
Having been on stand-by last week when Tunisia lost to Botswana and Togo drew with Chad, Malawi are aware of the need to pick up points early in the group where the top two teams will qualify for the finals in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Former Free State Stars coach Kinnah Phiri is the man at the helm and admits that the opening game of the group is key.
"The first group match is always key and Togo seem to be a team that can be beaten and we are aiming to come back with at least a point," says Phiri.
Early pacesetters Botswana will host Chad in Gaborone today.
Teams in Group K have been forced to begin their qualifiers early as there are five teams in the group while the rest of the qualifiers for the 28th edition of the Afcon will then begin in September.
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