2026 WCQ: Malawi in near-impossible mission in Tunisia

Malawi in action against Namibia:

Football Association of Malawi.

Coaches are grand illusionists. They make statements such as ‘anything is possible in football’ and ‘it is 11 versus 11’ to create a sense of possibility even in outright lost causes.

It's little wonder that, even after last week’s sloppy home 1-0 loss to Namibia, Malawi coach Kalisto Pasuwa wants fans to believe the Flames can salvage something from a World Cup qualifying match against Tunisia on Monday, March 20, 2025.

Ahead of the Group H match at Stade Olympique Hammad Agrebi, the coach said: “We are meeting Tunisia, a team that at times struggles, and we have been telling our boys to just go and play the game. We know where we made mistakes, and we have worked on them so that we can try to give something in the game.”

Such a statement suggests that the Flames, who even with their golden generation of players have never beaten Tunisia at home, can achieve such an unthinkable feat in Tunis.

Malawi hardly wins away and having lost at home on March 20, 2025, to weaker opposition, Namibia, it would be a tough task expecting a win in Tunisia.

The Flames woes have been compounded by the injuries of defender Charles Petro and striker Gabadinho Mhango, the only player with the pedigree to score in such high-octane games.

Malawi last hosted Tunisia in Lilongwe in 2023 and lost 1-0. The Flames last visit to Tunisia was in 2010, when on-peak Chiukepo Msowoya and company fought for a two-all draw.

The Flames have now suffered three straight losses in the group while lying seven points behind the Carthage Eagles.