Malawi will be eyeing nothing but a win over Guinea in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B game at the Boufassam Omnisport Stadium in Cameroon on Monday.
Kick-off is at 13h00 GMT.
The Flames are making their appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations finals following a successful qualifying campaign.
Malawi have never reached the knockout phase of the competition, having exited in the group stages during the two previous editions in 1984 in Ivory Coast and 2010 in Angola.
Their key player is Gabadinho Mhango, who is in the books of South Africa Premier Soccer League giants Orlando Pirates.
Mhango was on score sheet when the Flames encountered Comoros as both teams prepared for the tournament while at camp in Saudi Arabia.
Coached by Mario Maricana, Malawi is confident of stunning the Guineans when the two teams clash.
“We did the recovery session and we focused on the two of the five pillars on social and mental state of the players. In the afternoon, we focused on tactical aspect. We also prepared on the physical aspect because we expect to face tough opposition,” the Romaian coach said on Friday.
Guinea coach Kaba Diawara is under pressure to guide the Syli Nationale to the final and win the title with his star-studded squad.
The West African nation’s president Colonel Mamady Doumbouya warned his players they must win the Africa Cup of Nations, or pay back the money used to help them prepare for the tournament.
Guinea’s best ever finish at a Africa Cup of Nations came in 1976, when they finished runners-up to Morocco in the last edition of the tournament to feature a final group stage.
The Syli Nationale will be counting on Liverpool star Naby Keita, Mady Camara and Mohamed Bayo at Africa’s biggest football tournament in Cameroon.
This will be the third meeting between Malawi and Guinea.The Syli Nationale have recorded two victories, while one match ended in a draw.
