World Cup (Q): Pasuwa explains Malawi’s fear for Sao Tome

Malawi senior national football team coach Kalisto Pasuwa has expressed his biggest fear going into Monday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against hosts São Tomé and Príncipe.

Having beaten the Falcons and True Parrots 3-1 in Lilongwe in the home leg, the Zimbabwean knows his Flames are capable of completing a double over the Group H table anchors. However, that is not the most pressing issue for Pasuwa.

In a post-match interview with the Football Association of Malawi, the former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets mentor talked at length the challenge he has to convince his wards that São Tomé would not be a walk over.

“My main worry in this game, is remember, we were supposed to play against Equatorial Guinea, and we didn’t play then we had two days of travelling,” Pasuwa explained on Sunday. “Today, we will have our first training session before we play our game minus one.”

Why Pasuwa is so concerned Malawi might underrate Sao Tome

São Tomé have lost every of the nine games they have played in their group, leaking in 26 goals and scoring a mere four. Yet as far as the Flames coach is concerned, there is a danger in reading too much into such statistics.

“That is a game we need to work with the right mentality for the boys,” Pasuwa said.

“It is not going to be easy. It is a team that lost 6-0 to Tunisia and I remember again, when we played them in Malawi, we won 3-1 so it in is the minds of everyone that this team will be easy maybe collecting points, but I tell you, nobody wants to be beaten at home. Let us be positive in what whatever we do. Let us not underrate them. Let us go and play football. Let us play defensively as a team and attack as a team.’

Other games of the group will see Namibia travelling to face Tunisia while Liberia and Equatorial Guinea face off. A draw for Liberia and Equatorial Guinea will work to the advantage of Malawi provided they win their game. A win for either the Lone Stars or Nzalang Nacionale means the end of the road for the Flames.

Group H table

Team Pld Points

Tunisia 9 25

Namibia 9 15

Liberia 9 14

Malawi 9 13

Eq. Guinea 9 10

Sao Tome 9 0

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