By Burnett Munthali
The Malawi National Football Team delivered a performance that can be summed up as “clueless and visionless” in their 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Burundi. The match, held at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe yesterday, exposed significant weaknesses in Malawi’s approach and strategy.
From the opening whistle, it was evident that Malawi struggled to assert any clear game plan. The team’s movements on the field lacked coordination, and there was a noticeable absence of effective communication among the players. The midfield, in particular, appeared disjointed, failing to create meaningful opportunities or disrupt Burundi’s rhythm.
Burundi capitalized on Malawi’s disarray with a well-organized approach, taking control of the game and exploiting the gaps in Malawi’s defense. Their disciplined strategy and precise execution resulted in a decisive victory, leaving the Malawian supporters frustrated and disheartened.
Malawi’s tactical shortcomings were evident as the team frequently lost possession and struggled to build attacks. The lack of vision and creativity meant that the players often resorted to long, aimless passes rather than attempting to break down Burundi’s defense through coordinated play.
The lackluster performance has raised concerns about the current state of the national team and its preparation for future qualifiers. Analysts and fans alike are calling for a reevaluation of both the coaching strategy and the player selections to address the evident gaps in performance and to restore confidence in the team.
As Malawi looks ahead to their upcoming fixtures, there is a pressing need for a strategic overhaul. The team must reassess their approach, enhance their tactical discipline, and foster better synergy among players if they hope to turn their fortunes around in the competitive AFCON qualifiers.
 qualifier…){kind=link}