African Nations Cup: Mali - Malawi

Posted Monday, January 18, 2010 by Goal.com

Mali have done terribly in the competition, with only one point to their name, while Malawi surprised everyone in their first match with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, but who will come out on top in this encounter?

Kick-off: 18 January, 17:00 CET, Cabinda.

It is the last round of group matches in this year's Orange Africa Cup of Nations and both teams need points on the board. After a good start, which saw Malawi give Algeria a 3-0 hiding and Mali snatch a 4-4 draw from 4-0 down, both teams are yet to produce the kind of form that saw pundits salute them.

Malawi faced Angola in their second match, and the hosts were in no mood for compromise, thrashing Kinnah Phiri's side 2-0. The match was a one-sided encounter, with the Flames looking like they had just been run over with a fire extinguisher. Their defence was caught at sixes and sevens, and if that problem is not solved Frederick Kanoute and Keita will find an easy way through.

After a disappointing 1-0 loss to the World Cup bound Algeria, Mali sought to prepare for their make-or-break match against Malawi, but it all turned out to be nothing but an emotionally draining test. The team's preparations for the game were hit when they were locked out of a scheduled training session because the Algeria team had beaten them into the stadium.

Algeria turned up at the Escoqueirus Stadium in Luanda and gained immediate access on Friday afternoon, but waiting reporters were astonished when, 15 minutes later, the Mali team bus turned the corner and parked outside the stadium. Mali players, including Real Madrid midfielder and national team captain Mahamadou Diarra and 2007 African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute, were made to wait in the coach for over half an hour, before being told they could enter the ground.

The situation took a bizarre turn when the stadium's security officers refused to let them in as Algeria continued preparing for their final first-round match against Angola on Monday in blissful ignorance inside. As the confusion worsened, Diarra and some of his team-mates attempted to gain access by clambering through an open window. Meanwhile, over by the securely locked main gate Kanoute and Mali's Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi attempted to talk their way in, but to no avail.

After over an hour, and as dusk fell, a furious Keshi led his charges back to the team bus to return to their hotel having missed a vital chance to prepare for their last group match against Malawi in Cabinda on Monday.

Malawi lie third with three points in the Group A standings and Mali are rock bottom with a single point, meaning nothing but three points will hand the star-studded Keshi side a lifeline in the tournament. For Malawi, a draw is all they need to progress to the knockout stages, whilst hoping Angola beat Algeria.

Team News

No injuries have been reported from either camp and all troops are raring to go. For players like Orlando Pirates midfield kingpin Joseph Kamwendo the tournament is to serve as a bench mark to apply for an overseas move, and progressing to the next round means increased chances for him to catch the eyes of foreign scouts. Stephen Keshi and his troops know this will not be an easy walk in the park as Malawi only need a draw to progress to the next round, and will most likely produce a Berlin Wall in defence that would make things tough for them to penetrate.

Star Players

Malawi

Joseph Kamwendo remains the team's heartbeat. When he plays the Flames glow are can burn anyone in their way. Against Angola he was the only man standing in midfield, doing it all alone as a ball winner and play maker, but the hosts were just too good and kept their foot on the gas from the first whistle until the end. He knows very well that his nation's hopes are resting firmly with him and he will certainly rise to the occasion.

Mali

Frederic Kanoute has one goal so far in the tournament in which he was tipped as a potential top goal scorer. He is yet to produce the form that makes him one of the most respected strikers in the Spanish Liga.

Prediction

Looking at the current group standings, Malawi are likely to come out in defensive mode, as a draw will be enough for them to progress to the next round. Mali are aware that they have to come with an all-out attacking formular as nothing short of a victory will guarantee them a spot in the next round.

Malawi 1 Mali 1