Malawi’s Flames host Guinea in a dead-rubber for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on September 9 2023.

The Flames are out of the qualifying race for the next Afcon finals scheduled for Ivory Coast; hence, their meeting with Guinea’s Sly Nationale is merely academic.

The Flames crashed out of Group D qualifying race after a goalless draw with the group’s table anchors, Ethiopia, on June 20 2023 at Stadio Nacional do Zimpeto in Mozambique.

Therefore, the furthest Malawi can go if they beat Guinea is seven points whereas the West Africans have nine points, three points behind leaders Egypt.

The Pharaohs and Sly Nationale already booked their tickets to the delayed Afcon finals.

The stage is left for Malawi and Guinea to compete in the academic match which the host’s coach Patrick Mabedi will surely use to continue with his team rebuilding exercise.

In the other camp, his Guinean counterpart Kamara Diawara will likely use the match to prepare for the Afcon finals.

Head-to-Head

Malawi and Guinea have met seven times with the Sly Nationale dominating proceedings by winning five matches compared to one for the Flames. The other game ended in a draw.

The two teams last faced off on June 9 2022 when Naby Keita scored in injury-time to earn Guinea a 1-0 home win.

Form Guide

The Flames are now unbeaten in open play in seven consecutive games across all competitions under Mabedi.

The former Malawi skipper took over the mantle in caretaker capacity after the exit of Romanian Mario Marinica in April this year.

On the other hand, Guinea have won twice and suffered three defeats in the last five games.

Team News

Malawi will miss the services of influential playmaker Chimwemwe Idana who is suspended for the match.

Nonetheless, Mabedi has options to replace Idana with Chikondi Kamanga, among other players such as recalled captain John Banda.

Guinea are not short of options either with Keita, scorer of the lone goal in the last encounter with the Flames, ready to dictate things from midfield.

Prediction: 0-0:

Both teams have nothing to lose; hence a goalless draw might as well do. Afterall, Guinea are unlikely to bring all their top players.

Possible Line-Ups:

Malawi: Bright Munthali, Stanley Sanudi, Nickson Mwase, Alick Lungu, Chembezi Denis, Banda, Robert Saizi, Llyod Aaron, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Christopher Kumwembe

Guinea: Ibrahim Kone, Mohamed Ali Camara, Antoine Conte, Yakhouba Barry, Agoibu Camara, Moucta Diakhaby, Seydouba Cisse, Serhou Guirassy, Amadou Diawara, Naby Keita

Image: Flames captured training, courtesy of Malawi FA