Flames’ AFCON qualification chances go up in smoke after 3-1 loss
Malawi players before the match
The Malawi national team, The Flames, suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Bamako, Mali.
The team’s woes began even before the match, when their passports went missing in a taxi on Monday, only to be recovered hours before kickoff.
On the field, The Flames’ struggles continued as Lassina Traore exploited their shaky defense and goalkeeping to score two goals in quick succession at 35 and 38 minutes, and gave Burkina Faso a 2-0 halftime lead.
The hosts extended their advantage with a penalty kick from Boureima Hassane Bande in the 60th minute following a Lawrence Chaziya handball in the box.
Malawi’s Zeliat Nkoma scored a late consolation goal (80′) but it was too little, too late as Burkina Faso secured a 3-1 victory, handing The Flames their second consecutive defeat.
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi says Malawi’s chances of qualifying to the AFCON finals are slim.
“Chances are slim because we lost already six points. For us to catch up may be very difficult,” conceded Mabedi.
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