After failing to secure a spot in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Malawi’s assistant coach has come forward with strong criticism of his team’s performance, particularly their inability to prevent “easy goals.” The remarks came after the Flames, as the Malawi national team is known, were eliminated by South Africa in the qualification rounds.
Malawi’s hopes of participating in the prestigious tournament were dashed after they lost to South Africa in a two-legged qualifier. The 2024 CHAN is set to feature players who are only active in their home countries’ domestic leagues, giving a unique platform to local talent to showcase their skills on the continental stage.
In the aftermath of their exit, Malawi’s assistant coach didn’t hold back in his assessment of the team’s performance. He pointed out that conceding “easy goals” was one of the key factors that led to their failure to qualify. The coach expressed disappointment in how the team allowed goals that could have been easily avoided, saying that these defensive lapses ultimately cost them the chance to compete in the tournament.
“We have to be honest with ourselves. We made some very basic mistakes that were costly,” the assistant coach said. “We conceded easy goals that should have been prevented. As a team, we need to be more disciplined and focused, especially in crucial moments of the game. These are the kinds of errors that separate the teams that qualify from the ones that don’t.”
The Flames had a solid start to the qualification campaign, but their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in key moments during both legs of the qualifier. South Africa, known for their clinical finishing, capitalized on these errors, making it difficult for Malawi to recover.
Despite the frustration over the defensive lapses, the assistant coach acknowledged the overall effort from the team but emphasized that improving their defensive organization would be a priority moving forward. “The players showed spirit and determination, but we can’t ignore the fact that we need to improve defensively. If we want to compete at the highest level, we have to tighten up at the back.”
With the CHAN 2024 now out of reach, the focus for Malawi will shift to future international competitions, including the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The assistant coach has promised that lessons will be learned from this setback and that the coaching staff will work diligently to address the team’s defensive frailties.
“Failure to qualify for CHAN is disappointing, but it’s also an opportunity for us to reflect, learn, and grow,” he added. “We are committed to making the necessary improvements, and we will continue working hard to ensure that Malawi can compete at the highest level in the future.”
For Malawi, the road to redemption begins now, and they will need to focus on refining their defensive strategies while also maintaining the attacking play that has seen them perform well in other competitions. With a new sense of urgency and determination, the Flames will look to bounce back stronger as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
