Malawi Out of AFCON 2024
Malawi eliminated from AFCON 2024 after goalless draw against Ethiopia in Maputo.
Maputo, Mozambique: The Malawi National team, the Flames, have been eliminated from the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a goalless draw against Ethiopia on Tuesday in Maputo, in Mozambique, writes Happy Valirani.
The result leaves Malawi and Ethiopia level on four points in Group D, with Guinea already qualified for the tournament, which will take place in Ivory coast in 2024.
The Flames had a chance to qualify for the AFCON if they had won the match against Ethiopia, but they were unable to create enough chances.
The draw means that Guinea will qualify for the AFCON without kicking the ball, as they will finish above Malawi and Ethiopia on goal difference.
Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi accepted the result, saying that his team did not play to their game plan.
"We started unsettled, we were rushed, and we did not stick to our game plan, though Ethiopia was putting us under pressure," Mabedi said.
Unfortunately, we lost our grip on the ball, it seems we never take our game plan and execute it, that was the main problem, we were sitting back, giving them space and time to play."
Mabedi said that he is confident in the new players he has brought into the team and that they are the future of the Flames.
"As I said before, we need to look into our future, building the team so that it can take us a little bit longer," Mabedi said.
"That's why I started getting these young stars, and slowly, the age of the old player’s transition is very important."
As it stands, Egypt is at the top of Group D with 12 points, followed by Guinea with 9 points. Malawi and Ethiopia are both on 4 points, but Malawi has a worse goal difference.
The final round of matches in Group D will be played in September, with Egypt hosting Ethiopia and Malawi hosting Guinea.