Pasuwa Targets Sharper Flames Attack in Ethiopia Friendlies

Pasuwa : We must not Approach these games as ordinary friendlies 

The Malawi national football team will use next month’s international friendlies against Ethiopia as a key opportunity to solve their attacking struggles and rebuild confidence ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Flames are scheduled to play Ethiopia twice in Addis Ababa during the June FIFA international window, with the matches set for June 6 and June 9.

Coach Kalisto Pasuwa says the games are more than routine friendlies, insisting they will provide an important measure of the team’s mentality, competitiveness and tactical progress.

“We must not approach these games as ordinary friendlies. We want players to develop a winning mentality and show aggression on the pitch,” said Pasuwa.

The Zimbabwean coach is expected to unveil his squad on May 28, with camp preparations beginning on June 1.

Pasuwa believes the Ethiopia matches come at the right time following the Flames’ disappointing performance at the Mukuru Four Nations Tournament in Botswana, where Malawi lost to Zambia on penalties in the semi-finals before suffering another defeat against Botswana in the third-place playoff.

According to the coach, one of the major areas requiring urgent improvement is the team’s attacking play.

“Offensively, we are still struggling. We want to improve how we penetrate opponents and create more dangerous situations going forward,” he explained.

The two matches were arranged by the Football Association of Malawi after uncertainty continued to surround the staging of the 2026 COSAFA Cup.

FAM operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the association acted quickly to ensure the Flames still have meaningful international competition during the FIFA window.

Malawi and Ethiopia last met during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in a match that ended goalless.

Historically, the Flames hold a slight advantage in the fixture, having won three of the previous eight meetings, while Ethiopia have one victory and four matches have ended in draws.

Since taking charge of the Flames in October 2024, Pasuwa has recorded seven wins, seven draws and six defeats in 20 matches, with pressure continuing to mount for improved performances and more consistent results.

By Knoxy Kam'mwamba