Malawi – the country, the history, the football
Like Mali, with which they are paired in Group A, Malawi is a landlocked country situated in the southeast of the African continent. Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique are located at the northwest, the northeast, and the east of the Malawian territory respectively.
The 118,000 km² country that used to be known as Nyasaland counts over 13,900,000 inhabitants.
Malawi’s name originates from the word “Maravi”, which was an ancient name of the ones (Nyanja people) that used to occupy the territory. According to historians, Malawi became a settled nation around 900 A. D.
In 1891, it was colonized by the British and it was only after 73 years of the Europeans’ reign that Malawi got its independence.
Presently, the country showcases a mixed and rich culture which gives much importance to dance, music, art, and sports as well. Apparently, Malawi’s respect for sports has paid off as they have now qualified into the Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time in their history.
Malawi have never tasted World Cup football but they still have some sweet memories after clinching the CECAFA Cup thrice in their history. These achievements which came in 1978, 1979, and 1988 respectively surely define Malawi’s best moments in football.
Its other achievements in soccer also include a third-place finish at the All Africa Games in 1987, and two runners-up spots in the COSAFA Cup.
Malawi – the road to the Africa Cup of Nations 
In the joint Africa Cup of Nations & World Cup qualifiers, Malawi started from the second round in Group 12. They were alongside the likes of Congo, Egypt, and Djibouti who finished pointless in the table.
Malawi scored 14 goals as they pushed their way into the third round, picking up 12 points above Congo and behind Egypt.
In the third round, Malawi were far from imposing themselves against the rest of the teams. Cote d’Ivoire took full control of Group 5, and Burkina Faso occupied the second spot with 12 points.
Meanwhile, Malawi only picked up 4 points after recording up to four defeats in six matches.
However, The Flames did just enough to keep hold of the third and final qualifying spot ahead of Guinea who finished with 3 points.
Malawi – Unforgettable moments
Among Malawi’s four wins that saw them qualify from the second round to the third and final round of the joint Africa Cup of Nations & World Cup qualifiers, one will definitely remain in the limelight of people’s memories.
Certainly, Malawi’s win over minnows Djibouti was predicted, but the fact that The Flames scored eight goals past their opponents gave a hilarious and impressive aspect to that particular encounter.
Two other great moments that will forever stay in the fans and players’ mind must be Malawi’s two “wonder” results against Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire respectively.
During the qualifiers, Malawi lost their first three matches in Group 5 and the pressure to bounce back therefore reached its highest level. After going down 2-1 in Guinea in June, The Flames had to overturn the tables with a positive result against their opponents – this time in Malawi.
Kalabane’s 38th minute strike looked to be the decisive goal for Guinea, but Msowoya’s double at the 46th and 59th minute appeared to have given Malawi their first vital three points.
After that, the mission wasn’t fully accomplished but a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Elephants of the Ivory Coast in October 2009 finally proved to be very important as Malawi lost their last match but still managed to reach the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations finals at the expense of the Guineans.
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Malawi – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations group stage
In only their second ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi face the difficult task of playing against the hosts Angola, the group’s favorites Mali, and the heroes of the Khartoum stadium Algeria.
Malawi are part of the weakest teams in the tournament and they were put in Pot 4 during the draw for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
Match-day One:
Malawi’s first encounter will come up on January 11th as they’ll play Algeria at the Estadio Cidade Universitaria, in Luanda. They will be playing as the home side but this won’t necessarily take the pressure off them.
Match-day Two:
On January 14th, Malawi will take on the tournament’s hosts Angola in an evening kick-off.
Match-day Three:
As Angola and Algeria will be playing at the Estadio Cidade Universitaria at 16:00 GMT on January 18th, Malawi and Mali will clash at the Estadio Chimandela in Cabinda at the same time.
Malawi – 2010 Africa Cup of Nations squad
Malawi’s coach, Kinnah Phiri, finally named his squad for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The manager created a list almost entirely made of African-based players.
As Malawi aim to surprise the big guns in the Angola 2010, Kinnah Phiri thinks that putting up a squad made of players that know themselves very well on the pitch is the right way to find unity, strength, and therefore success. LiveSoccerTV.com gives you the opportunity to view Malawi's 23-man squad:
Goalkeeper:
S. Charlres; S. Nthala; S. Sanudi
Defenders:
M. Chavula; E. Kafoteka; A. Kamanga; P. Mponda; M. Msowoya; H. Nyirenda; J. Sangala
Midfielders:
D. Banda; J. Kamwendo; P. Mgangira; H. Mwakasungula; R. Ngambi; J. Ngwira; P. Wadabwa
Attackers:
E. Kanyenda; C. Msowoya; R. Mwafulirwa; V. Nyirenda; A. Nyondo; J. Zakazaka
Malawi – Quick analysis: Things to expect from The Flames
Malawi are considered among the outsiders of the upcoming 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, having experienced the finals of this tournament only once in their entire history of football.
The Flames’ attitude and ambition should be revealed in their first match of the competition. There are few hopes that they’ll be the surprise package of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and the majority of football pundits might tip them to depart from the group stages.
In general, if Malawian fans will anxiously put their support behind their team, neutrals and analysts will expect a repeat of Malawi’s 1984 Africa Cup of Nations experience when they country crashed out in the first round.
Malawi – Africa Cup of Nations record
The Flames cannot boast of their record on the African continent. If the 70s and the 80s saw them triumph in the CECAFA Cup, the same could not be said in the Africa Cup of Nations.
In their only appearance in 1984, Malawi couldn’t progress into the second round of the tournament. Their early exit left them with few memories and disappointment rather.
1984: Round 1
Live Soccer TV will take you through the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. You could be witnessing Malawi’s progress in the tournament by checking back on the site for more!
