Malawi starts preps for Angola

Malawi has started preparations for Angola 2010, following Guinea’s 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso on Sunday.
The loss gives Malawi a life line in a group where Ivory Coast have already qualified for the World Cup to be held next year in South Africa, followed by Burkina Faso with nine points. Malawi has four points while Guinea remain stuck at three points, their campaign now facing the black clouds because they will have to play their last match against Ivory Coast away from home.
Malawi go to Burkina Faso on November 10, and are confident that they will qualify.
“We have already started preparing for Angola 2010. There is no way Ivory Coast can loose at home. We are cock sure of our qualification,” said Football Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer Charles Nyirenda.
Nyirenda said Fam has already started mobilizing resources in preparation for Angola.
But Fam’s sentiments have drawn fire from national team coach, Kinnah Phiri, who feels the country’s soccer authorities are being carried away with Guinea’s misfortune.
“It’s very unfortunate that Fam is being carried away with the win, thinking Ivory Coast will do the job for us. We must prepare well for the Burkina Faso game and see where we go from there. As it is, it is too early to start preparing for Angola,” said Phiri.
Malawi go to Burkina Faso without two of its top notch players, captain Peter Mponda and defender James Sangala. The two accumulated two yellow cards, ruling themselves out of a game Phiri takes for a decider.
There is solace, however, as injured defenders Elvis Kafoteka and Moses Chavula, and suspended midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula come back to pitch action. The three missed the game against Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast had to come from behind and redeem their reputation as Africa’s leading side. They needed a point to qualify for a World Cup slot, and one point they got.