Patrick Mabedi, Malawi national team coach has called for timely preparations for his team if they Southern nation is to perform better in both the upcoming 2026 World Cup and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In June of this year, the Flames will play host to Sao Tome and Principe before traveling to Equatorial Guinea a week later.

The team’s most recent game took place in Bingu National Stadium in November, where Malawi defeated to Tunisia 1-0.

Mabedi voiced worry over the Flames’ inactivity, saying that it might have a detrimental effect on the team’s chances of qualification campaign.

Since then, the team has not played any much, not even a friendly, a development that worries Mabedi whose target is to see Malawi qualify.

Mabedi said most Flames opponents have players overseas which gives them an edge over their counterparts.

In group H, Malawi will face Namibia and Equatorial Guinea, teams which finished in round of 16 in the just ended Africa Cup of Nations.

“We need friendlies as soon as possible if we are to do better in the World Cup qualifiers. We also need to utilize the FIFA calendar date by engaging strong teams to help our players who have been idle for the past two months,” he said.

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In two matches the Flames have played, they have managed to record one victory away to Liberia 0-1 and a defeat to Tunisia back home.