Malawi coach says mountain to climb, skipper upbeat in Algeria

Malawi coach Young Chimodzi has admitted that his charges have a mountain to climb against hosts Algeria in Wednesday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B qualifier but Captain Joseph Kamwendo is optimistic the Flames will upset the tables in Algiers.

Chimodzi knows that his second-from bottom Flames, with just three points from three matches, are in the danger of missing out on next year’s Afcon finals in Morocco.

“Chances are still there, but it will need a lot of hard work. It’s a huge mountain for us to climb on Wednesday. We need to get at least a point and be ourselve,” he said .

Malawi, who welcome from suspension defender John Lanjesi, have a worst away record having last won 3-0 in Djibouti in 2009 with the rest of results, since that time, being more losses and some draws.

The Desert Foxes, ranked 20 against 98 for the Flames, top the group having registered three straights wins; the latest being a 2-0 beating of Malawi on Saturday at the Kamuzu Stadium.

Kamwendo urged Flames’ fans to forget Saturday’s loss  and look forwards to an interesting second leg of the AFCON 2015 qualifiers.

“Our squad is strong enough to produce the desired results and the players are keen to shine on Wednesday. “I think we have the squad which is capable of delivering,” Kamwendo said.

“Now with the news that Mali won to Ethiopia everyone is willing to prove a point,” he added.

The Desert Foxes of Algeria are basking comfortably on the summit of group B  with 9 points. Mali’s Eagles are second with 6 points; The Flames are third with 3 points and the table is anchored by Ethiopia’s Walias who have neither won nor drawn a game.