By Burnett Munthali

Despite the late hours, Malawians stayed awake to follow the national football team’s match, only to witness a heartbreaking loss. The Flames were left humiliated by Senegal, suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat.

This defeat means that the Malawi national team has reached a level of disappointment comparable to Manchester United’s recent struggles in England. Just as Manchester United’s fans have been left frustrated, so too have Malawi’s football supporters.

The coach of the Flames, Patrick Mabedi, finds himself under immense pressure, much like Manchester United’s manager Eric Ten Hag. Both are facing the wrath of their supporters due to a string of poor performances.

Malawi has now lost three matches in their quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). They are at the bottom of Group L, with no points to their name.

The team’s performance has been dismal, and their chances of qualifying for Afcon 2025 seem to be slipping away. Fans are demanding answers and improvement, but the road ahead looks challenging for the Flames.