International Football
RACE TO CAMEROON 2020 CHAN BEGINS IN MALAWI
Visiting Malawi have arrived in Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, ahead of African Nations Championships (CHAN) South Zone first round first leg tie set for Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday.
The two nations senior men national teams square off in Manzini in their 21st meeting – their first meeting in the CHAN date with the hosts soul searching for their first ever home win since the 5th of June 2016 famous 1-0 win over Guinea in the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
On that Sunday afternoon, then prolific scorer Sabelo Ndzinisa grabbed a 48th minute that temporarily drowned the mighty West Africans into football mediocrity and ascended “tiny” Eswatini to giant-killers status.
And ever since, Sihlangu lost four successive home ties to Angola (2018 Total CHAN qualifier) and to the trio of Tunisia, Egypt and Niger in the 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and has changed coaches from Harries Bulunga to Hendrick Pieter de Jongh to Anthony Mdluli to the current, Kostadin Papic.
On the other hand, the Flames last tasted victory outside their borders in a friendly international played on the fourth of September 2017 – a 1-0 triumph over Togo and ever since lost three of their away 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to Morocco, Cameroon and Comoros.
Since then the coaching lead has changed hands from Gerald Phiri (snr) to Ronny Van Geneugden and now Meck Mwase who will be returning to his second home, Eswatini where he almost stole away the MTN Premier League of Eswatini with giants Mbabane Highlanders.
In their 20 previous meetings, Malawi have won 11 with Eswatini bagging three wins with the two nations sharing six draws and both coaches will be searching for a winning cushion ahead of the second leg set for next month.
Panic said his lads were going for a win.
“The team has a potential to qualify for such tournaments including CHAN, AFCON, even the World Cup and win even the COSAFA if we are to professionalize our game local and this is mindset we are trying to work. It is with this in mind that we will be going for a win on Saturday.
“We have never gone past this stage in the CHAN qualifiers and it’s high time we advance to the next stage. If we attain the winning mindset it is possible to win over Malawi and meet Angola in the next round of the qualifiers,”said Papic.
Mwase early in the week said he was happy to be in Eswatini.
“I thank God that I’m coming back to Eswatini as interim coach for Malawi. I’m sure it will be tough but exciting too. Three to four years have passed and I am not sure how far the game have improved in Eswatini.
“It’s every teams wish to play to win but compared to the previous Under 20 meeting it will be two different teams altogether. We have to respect our host they are playing at home. But we are also ready except for just those football related injuries which are not serious,” said Mwase.
The last meeting between the two sides was on the 4th of September 2016 in Malawi when a Gerald Phiri first half strike gave the home side a 1-0 win over Eswatini with the last meeting on Eswatini soil ending in a 2-2 draw on the 6th of September 2015.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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