Malawi men’s national football team coach Kallisto Pasuwa believes playing a friendly match against Lesotho will help the team to improve on the FIFA rankings.
The Flames of Malawi dropped two steps to 128 in the latest FIFA rankings following a 1-0 defeat to Sao Tome in the World Cup qualifiers.
On Saturday, the 15th and 18th Malawi will play an international friendly match against Lesotho in Bloemfontein in South Africa.
According to coach Pasuwa, the match is an opportunity for the Flames, who are trying to build a team ready for the Africa Cup of Nations next year.
“Plus that, the match will help us to improve on the Fifa rankings. Remember we dropped two steps after losing to Sao Tome, so this is an opportunity to improve our numbers. The match will also help to access new players,” said Pasuwa.
The Flames have since departed Malawi for South Africa. Pasuwa has since invited a 26-member squad, which includes new faces who have been given their first call-up.
Among the new players is Ivory Coast–born striker Kouadio Yann Kouakou, who recently acquired Malawian citizenship. Kouakou, the 26-year-old forward, who plays for Europa Point FC in Gibraltar, was born in Treichville, Ivory Coast, and is a holder of French citizenship.
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