Kinnah Phiri, former Malawi coach, believes the Flames can repeat their 2008 win over Egypt, provided they rediscover their confidence and discipline before November’s two matches against the Pharaohs.
Malawi are set to face Egypt twice in four days, on 13 and 17 November, in 2027 AFCON qualifying. The first match is scheduled for Cairo, the second at Lilongwe’s Bingu National Stadium. With the double-header just days away, the Malawian press, via Nation Online, has given the floor to Kinnah Phiri, who looks back on the Flames’ last success against the Pharaohs.
Kinnah Phiri, former Malawi coach and current technical adviser, recalls the historic win of 14 June 2008. That day, a Chiukepo Msowoya goal in stoppage time at Blantyre’s Kamuzu Stadium gave his side a victory that has gone down in memory and ended Egypt’s unbeaten run in the qualifying campaign.
Self-belief and team spirit
For Phiri, the mental side is the key against the Pharaohs. “All we need is self-belief and team spirit. The players also have to overcome the fear of playing against the big teams,” he told Nation Online.
The former coach draws on the memory of 2008 to back up his point. “The Malawi team that beat Egypt had discipline and unity. Discipline played a big role in us achieving our goals,” he added, stressing the collective virtues that had allowed them to beat an opponent who were then reigning African champions.
An opponent seen as weaker than in 2008
Phiri goes further and reckons that today’s Egypt do not have the same stature as the side he beat eighteen years ago. “We managed to beat Egypt when they were reigning African champions and had a squad full of stars. When I look at Egypt’s current squad, I don’t think it is as strong as the one we beat,” he said. This is an opinion, not supported by the facts reported.
The recent record in the fixture nevertheless calls for caution. Since the 2008 win, the two teams have met six times: five Malawi defeats and one draw. The last meeting, in March 2023 in AFCON qualifying, ended in a 4-0 Egypt win in Lilongwe. A reminder that tempers the optimism shown by the former coach.
Pasuwa goes with a squad of 24
For this double-header, coach Kallisto Pasuwa has named a squad of 24 players, including four additions, according to Nation Online. He will have to make the most of this enlarged squad to stand up to the Pharaohs, who began their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Angola in Group B.
Malawi have not beaten Egypt since 2008, and the trip to Cairo looks set to be an endurance test before the home game in Lilongwe.