Malawi train for set pieces as they set up to shock the Eagles

The Flames are ready to shock the African
champions according to their Belgian coach
Tom Saintfiet as the visitors look to take
advantage of dead ball situations
Malawi's Flames concluded their training on
Friday evening ahead of the top-of-the table
Group F clash against Nigeria with the team
putting finishing touches to their strategy at
the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
The training which was a closed door session
saw coach Tom Saintfiet direct his wards in
tactical and technical preparations. The players
were drilled in taking shots from outside the
box and especially at set pieces. The plan
would be to choke the midfield and play with a
lone striker.
A player wearing Jersey No.12 impressed the
watching crowd with his accurate shooting and
neat touches as Saintfiet ensured that his
players concentrated on short and sharp
touches in the midfield area.
The Flames are almost likely to play in a 4-5-1
formation that has a winger/striker in the five-
man midfield. It was also noticed that the
coach is planning to pressurise the Nigerian
midfield anchor points of probably Mikel Obi
and Ogenyi Onazi at every opportunity so as to
nip all Nigerian attacks in the bud.
After the practise session, the Flames went
straight to their bus and left the stadium.
Saintfiet who spoke to journalists on Thursday
had said: "We have nothing to lose and that's
the key, we come here as underdogs and that
will surely work in our favor.
"Malawi is a small country, with a small
population, but the players are dedicated and
want to do their best to represent their
country.
"Yes, we respect Nigeria, thy are the African
champions, but we fear no foe." Saintfiet
concluded.
The match is scheduled for 4pm at the UJ
Esuene Stadium and tickets have been selling
for N5000 for the VIP stand, N3000 for
covered stand and N500 for the popular side.