Giantkillers Malawi have Angola in their sights

Malawi, who claimed the scalp of World Cup qualifiers Algeria on Monday, are intent on dishing out the same treatment to Angola when they meet the Africa Cup of Nations’ hosts here on Thursday.

In only their second ever appearance in the competition Malawi go into the game as the surprise leaders of Group A, ahead of Angola and Mali with Algeria footing the table.

Positive results in their warm-up matches proved no flash in the pan judged by the way they whipped the Algerians 3-0, and coach Kinnah Phiri is looking for more of the same.

“We are outsiders in this competition. We played well in our first match and I congratulate my players.

“We did prepare well and we are reaping the fruits here.

“If we maintain this balance, we can shock the world.”

Angola, who were favourites to go through to the quarter-finals from this group with Mali, won’t make the mistake of under estimating Phiri’s players.

Especially after their inelegant collapse against Mali when they paid the price for thinking they had done enough at 4-0 up with barely quarter of an hour remaining.

Former goalkeeper Kanka Vemba said a change of attitude was required among the Black Antelopes’ ahead of Thursday’s encounter.

“We must adopt the same attacking policy but with another mentality of respecting our rivals.”

Another figure in Angola’s football community, Ndunguidi Daniel, chipped in, declaring: “I know that with the result against Mali our players have a lot of pressure on them. We have to concentrate in all departments and maintain a highly competitive attitude for the entire 90 minutes.”

Angola were spurred on by 50,000 fanatical supporters at Luanda’s all new 50,000-seater stadium on Sunday – at least until the fourth minute of injury time when the noise meter plummeted.

On the plus side they have serious attacking potential, witness the double from Flavio Armado and penalties from Gilberto and Manucho.

But defensive frailties, including by goalkeeper Carlos Fernandes, cost them dear against the Malians.

Angola skipper Kali said: “We have to raise our heads – I’m so sad and sorry – there’s no explanation for letting go of such a big lead. But we’ve got to give a good response in our next match.”

As coach Manuel Jose noted, the loss of what looked like a certain three points “makes the next match a little more complicated. The public deserved a win.”

Jose said the way Angola had collapsed was one of the bitterest pills he had ever had to swallow as a manager and he will be hoping for a more digestible result come Thursday.