By Phillip Pasula

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Manager for the Malawi National Football Team, James Sangala, has said camping in Saudi Arabia has been a success as the team prepares to meet the Pharaohs of Egypt this Friday in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

The Flames have arrived in Cairo, Egypt ahead of the Friday clash and the second leg will take place on Tuesday next week at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

In Saudi Arabia, the Flames drew one all against lowly ranked Bangladesh before thumping a premier league side Al-Ansar, 8 nil.

Speaking to the local media, Sangala said Flames Coach Mario Marian Marinica had time to fine tune the Malawi squad in Arabia.

“It was a successful camp. The team has prepared well. I think we could have done a lot but as you will recall, the programme was shifted from 1 March because of the bonanza we had at home.

“From the two friendly matches we had, the coach has managed to work in areas that needed some attention. We would like thank Saudi Arabia for this whole arrangement,” remarked Sangala.

Foreign legion joining the squad in Egypt comprises of John Banda of UD Songo in Mozambique, Yamikani Chester and Chikoti Chirwa of Costa do Sol in Mozambique, Dennis Chembezi of Black Leopards in South Africa, Peter Banda from Simba Sporting Club in Tanzania, Charles Petro from Romania, Khuda Muyaba of Polokwane City in South Africa, Francisco Madinga from Botswana and Gabadihno Mhango of Amazulu in South Africa.

Players that have not made it to Egypt and have been sent back home from Saudi Arabia are Chiukepo Msowoya (because of injury), Nickson Mwase, Gilbert Chirwa, Chawanangwa Gumbo and Christopher Kumwembe.

Malawi which is in Group B; beat Ethiopia 2-1 at home on 5th July last year before losing away to Guinea by a 1 nil margin four days later (9th July, 202). On the other hand, Egypt beat Guinea 1 nil on 5th July, 2022 at home before losing 0-2 away to Ethiopia on July 9.

As it stands, all the four teams in the group have 3 points each but basing on goal difference, the log table shows Ethiopia on number one, followed by Malawi on number two. Guinea and Egypt are on positions 3 and 4, respectively.