We’ll shock Eagles in Nigeria – Malawi

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Friday, June 14th, 2013

Malawi coach Eddington Ng’onamo insists the Flames have not given up hope of claiming a place in the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers despite the South-East African country trailing Nigeria in Group F by two points with one game to go.

Ng’onamo said on Friday the Flames will do everything possible to progress in the qualifiers.

“We will try everything to throw Nigeria off balance and we will deploy all methods to achieve our ambitions,” he was quoted by Nyasa Times as saying.

Ng’onamo had conceded the ticket to the Super Eagles after Kenya held his team to a 2-2 in Blantyre on Wednesday, but Nigeria’s surprise 1-1 draw with Namibia in the other group fixture in Windhoek later in the day revived Malawi’s qualification hopes.

The Eagles would have booked their passage to the final round with victory over Namibia.

Nigeria lead the group on nine points, two ahead of Malawi. The winner of the group will be decided in the final match between the two teams in Calabar on September 6. The Flames will need to win to sail through while a draw will be enough for the African champions.

Malawi had celebrated a Robert Ng’ambi’s goal 10 minutes before regulation time only to be heartbroken when substitute Chimango Kayira scored an own goal and Ng’onamo lamented the development.

“This is a painful result. And effectively the Flames’ dreams to qualify for the World Cup is over,” he said.

“That is end of the road, our players lacked concentration.”

But Ng’onamo made a U-turn as Nigeria failed to beat Namibia to become the first country to reach the final round comprising five home-and-away ties with the winners qualifying for Brazil.

Reacting to the result of the Windhoek clash, Ng’anoma said “what a relief”.

He added, “It’s not over yet. We have to go back to the drawing board and see how we are going to approach the last game in Nigeria.”

Former Malawi captain Peter Mponda predicted victory for the Flames in Calabar.

Anything can happen, who knew Nigeria were going to be held by Namibia. That should be a motivation,” he said.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi, who rued his team’s missed against Namibia, promised to finish the job in September.

“I have no doubt that we will qualify for the World Cup,” the Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations winner said.wp_posts