AFCON 2021: Banda braced for massive Morocco clash

Malawi vice-captain John Banda says the team is looking forward to the “biggest game of our lives” as they prepare to take on Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 opponents Morocco at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé on Tuesday.

Malawi earned their place in the knockout stages with a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe that was following by a fighting 0-0 draw with Senegal, and have now set their sights on the powerful north Africans.

It is the first time The Flames have advanced past the group stages of the continental showpiece finals, and while they will be underdogs for the knockout tie, continue to believe they can do something special.

“The Morocco game is the biggest game of our lives and we are looking forward to it,” Banda said. “We respect Morocco but don’t fear them. We played them twice in the Afcon [qualifiers] three years ago and I played in both matches. They are a beatable side with a proper game plan.”

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Those two games finished 0-0 in Malawi and 3-0 to Morocco in their home clash, but the first of those results will give Banda and co hope they can hold their rivals.

He says the players are in familiar territory having made numerous trips to Yaoundé in recent years.

“All is well in camp. We travelled well from Bafoussam and have settled in the new environment,” Banda says. “To most of us Yaoundé is not new. We were here in 2018 for 2019 Afcon qualifiers and just four months ago for the World Cup qualifiers. So we are very familiar with the venues.”