‘We need to be offensive but careful’ —  Flames coach Pasuwa warns of ‘dangerous’ South Sudan

Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa has vowed his Flames side will come out attacking against South Sudan on Friday, but issued a stark warning to his players not to underestimate their supposedly weaker opponents in the crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener.

Speaking at a tense pre-match press conference at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Thursday, Pasuwa insisted his side must go on the front foot despite facing the lowest-ranked team in Group B — but admitted the so-called “small teams” have burned Malawi before.

“We are hoping for the best. In these games, we are playing with the mind. What are regarded as small teams are always dangerous. We need to be focused,” Pasuwa told reporters.

“We need to be offensive but we need to be careful because we can be caught on counterattacks. We need to move in defensive positions and create space,” he added.

The Zimbabwean tactician pointedly referenced Malawi’s shock defeat to São Tomé and Príncipe — a match many had dismissed as a formality before the Flames suffered an embarrassing upset.

Adding to the pressure, Pasuwa’s side head into the crunch clash hit by a fresh injury crisis, with the coach confirming two key players will miss out entirely.

“We did some medicals to assess who are fit. Richard Mbulu groin injury. Then Jordan Kananga, ankle sprain. Adiel Kaduya was sick, but today seems okay. So Mbulu and Kananga will not be part of the team. Overall most of the guys are ready and eager to play,” Pasuwa revealed.

Stand-in captain Charles Petro struck a defiant tone despite the setbacks, insisting the squad remains fully focused on delivering a positive result.

“The coach has done everything. Now it is about us to play our part. It’s a crucial game and we need to be focused,” Petro said.

Across the divide, South Sudan coach Christian N’Sengi-Biembe — only recently appointed to the role — admitted preparations had been far from smooth, with logistical nightmares disrupting his side’s build-up.

“There were some problems bringing players from abroad but that should not be an excuse. We are prepared and we want to play this match with joy. I trust the quality of my players and we are good to go. There is no big or small team as we saw with African teams at the World Cup. We will therefore work hard in this match,” he said.

South Sudan captain Peter Maker Manyang echoed his coach’s confidence, insisting his side arrive in Lilongwe with genuine ambitions of springing an upset.

“We are prepared and I feel this is the right time for us to get into this match. We are looking for a win just like Malawi,” Manyang said.

Friday’s high-stakes clash forms part of a fiercely competitive Group B, which also features football heavyweights Egypt and Angola — meaning both Malawi and South Sudan know dropped points early could prove costly in the race for Afcon qualification.