Africa-Press – Malawi. The heat is on! With their pride dented after a 1-0 defeat in Lilongwe, South Africaâs coach Molefi Ntseki has brought in heavy reinforcements for Sundayâs do-or-die CHAN qualifier second leg against Malawi at Loftus Stadium.
According to SAFA.net, Ntseki is now âa much happier manâ at training after welcoming back key players who missed the first leg. The fresh faces include Neo Maema, Ndumulelo Maphangule, Victor Letsoalo, Siyanda Msani, Simon Ramabu, and Kamogelo Sebelebeleâall of whom are expected to bring much-needed firepower to overturn the deficit.
The Mzansi squad stepped up their preparations with a tough training match against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars, held at the match venue in Pretoria.
Reflecting on the first leg, Ntseki didnât hold back:
âThe plan in Malawi was simple: score and donât concede. But with players who arenât getting regular game timeâor have no clubs at allâwe struggled. That late goal was a hard lesson, but one weâve learned from.â
He added that the South African clubs were responsive to their call for reinforcements:
âWe made special requests to clubs not in action this weekend, and they delivered. Iâm very happyâwe now have six vital players back in camp. This team is now stronger and more balanced.â
Meanwhile, Malawiâs Flames are not resting on their laurels. Coach Kalisto Pasuwaâs squad jetted off to Pretoria this morning without midfielder Zebron Kalima, who has been sidelined with a quadriceps injury.
Traveling Squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Chimbamba (Nyasa Big Bullets), George Chikooka (Silver Strikers)
Defenders: McDonald Lameck, Nixon Mwase, Maxwell Paipi (Silver Strikers), Emmanuel Nyirenda (Mighty Wanderers), Andrew Jovinala, Alick Lungu (Nyasa Big Bullets)
Midfielders: Yakho Singo, Lloyd Aaron, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Wongani Lungu (Nyasa Big Bullets), Charles Nkhoma (Moyale Barracks), Blessings Singini (Mighty Wanderers)
Attackers: Zeliati Nkhoma, Olson Kanjira (Kamuzu Barracks), Binwel Katinji (Silver Strikers), Wisdom Mpinganjira, Gaddie Chirwa, Promise Kamwendo (Mighty Wanderers), Chikumbutso Salima (Nyasa Big Bullets)
The Flames go into the return leg with a slight edge, thanks to Zeliati Nkhomaâs late header in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium.
But Pasuwa is far from overconfident.
âThe job is only half done. We must stay focused to finish the task in South Africa,â he warned.
The stakes are sky-high: the winner of this two-legged clash books a ticket to CHAN 2024 Group Câjoining Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and either Algeria or The Gambia.
Sunday will settle it all. Reinforcements are in. Temperatures are rising. Flames or Fire? One will burn brighter.
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