Malawi vice-captain braced for ‘biggest game of our lives’

The Flames have relocated to Yaounde from Bana ahead of their last-16 clash with Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Malawi are not afraid of Morocco ahead of the ‘biggest game of our lives’, according to vice-captain John Banda.

The Southeastern Africans have reached the knockouts stage for the first time in history, having progressed past Group B as one of the best third-placed teams with four points.

Now Malawi hope to extend what is only their third AFCON appearance on Tuesday by booking a quarter-final spot when they face Group C winners Morocco in a last-16 clash.

The Flames have settled well in Yaounde after relocating from Bana ahead of Tuesday’s @TotalAfcon2021 R16 match against Morocco.
The team had its first training session on Friday evening at the Millitary Stadium.@WNyamilandu #AFCON2021
Read more: https://t.co/ZpJZFRro9P pic.twitter.com/LpRWJ03IO3

— FA Malawi (@FaMalawi) January 22, 2022

‘We respect Morocco, but don’t fear them’

And, while acknowledging beating that the 1976 AFCON champions won’t be easy, Banda is feeling upbeat about Malawi’s prospects.

“All is well in camp. We traveled well from Bafoussam and have settled well in the new environment. To most of us, Yaounde is not new. We were here in 2018, for 2019 AFCON qualifiers and just four months ago for the World Cup qualifiers,” said the midfielder as per the Malawian FA.

“So we are very familiar with the venues and everything. The Morocco game is the biggest game of our lives and we are looking forward to it.

“We respect Morocco, but don’t fear them. We played them twice in the AFCON three years ago and I played in both matches. They are a beatable side with a proper game plan.”

The Malawi squad had their first training session in Yaounde on Friday at the Military Stadium. The team will train two more times on Saturday in preparation for next week.