Malawi coach Chimodzi downplays Mali loss ahead of Ethiopia encounter
Malawi national football coach Young Chimodzi has downplayed the team’s 2-0 loss to Mali in their opening Group B Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Sunday in Bamako.
Chimodzi said the 2-0 loss was not a true reflection of the game as his charges put up a gallant fight.
“We played well in Mali and I should commend the boys for their fighting spirit despite that we lost by 2-0,” Chimodzi said.
“The 2-0 loss is not a true reflection of the game and I am sure that we have the potential to do well in the forthcoming games.”
He said the team had not option against Ethiopia than winning for them to stay on course in the campaign for a third Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
“We know that Ethiopia is a good side but we would like to win the game and put ourselves in the race for Africa Cup of Nations finals,” he said.
The soft-spoken coach disclosed that he would make some minor changes to the starting line up against Mali in Wednesday game.
“People should expect some changes in the starting line up. This is normal in any game plan,” he said.
Malawi survived Mali’s onslaught in the first half with brilliant goalkeeping from McDonald Harawa only to succumb to pressure in the second half conceding two goals.
The loss has pushed them to bottom of the group after Algeria beat Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa on Saturday.
