Ghana vs Malawi

Malawi has been on a mission since October last year to reach the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Now, the country must get ready for one of Africa’s heavyweights, Ghana, in the biggest two-legged playoff Malawi has even participated.

Last October, Malawi were so close to clinching an automatic spot at AFCON 2012, leading Chad 2-1 in N’Djamena, Chad. Chad would score a stoppage time goal to allow Tunisia to qualify at Malawi’s expense. It was a bitter blow for Malawi: the country went unbeaten in qualifying, but managed to win only twice in eight qualifiers.

To reach this phase of qualifying for AFCON 2013, Malawi defeated Chad, the same team that knockout out Malawi just months ago. Yet, despite losing 3-2 in Chad, Malawi would win the second leg 2-0 to advance. Many of the players on Malawi’s team will look to make it to another AFCON tournament.

Several of these players helped Malawi had reached AFCON 2010, with wins at home against Egypt and Guinea. That helped Malawi reach AFCON 2010, and when the country arrived, Malawi arrived with a statement: they thrashed Algeria 3-0.  Just three years earlier, Malawi was at its lowest ranking ever.

Whereas Malawi is looking to make a name in African football, Ghana is working hard to be considered the best team in Africa.

Despite reaching the knockout stages of the World Cups twice, Ghana is looking to win its first AFCON title since 1982. Although Ghana reached the semifinals in this AFCON, Ghana finished in fourth place.

Many of Ghana’s players who played in the two World Cups still play for the team. Among those include Prince Tagoe, who led Ghana in scoring with three goals on the road to AFCON 2012, Andre Ayew, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, are still playing for the national team.

Gyan has been instrumental in helping Ghana write a new chapter in Ghana’s football history, even though Gyan has been remembered for not one or two, but three crucial penalty-kicks.

Ghana and Malawi had previously met in the group stage finale in Bouake, Ivory Coast at AFCON 1984, the first tournament appearance for Malawi. Going into that match, Malawi still had a shot at a semifinal berth, while Ghana was already eliminated after two matches. Still, Ghana left the tournament on a high with a 1-0 victory and eliminated Malawi from the tournament. The other two meetings have been friendlies: a 1-0 victory for Ghana in 1978 and a scoreless draw in 2010.

After finishing fourth at AFCON 2012, Ghana played to a 1-1 draw against Chile. Ghana did start World Cup qualifying with a 7-0 demolition of Lesotho, but days later would lose 1-0 at Zambia, the team that defeated Ghana in the semifinals. Malawi, on the other hand, has two draws in World Cup qualifying: a scoreless draw in Kenya and a dramatic 1-1 draw at home against Nigeria. In friendlies, Malawi defeated Zambia 1-0 and weeks earlier had played to a scoreless draw against Tanzania.

Can Ghana make amends and reach another AFCON tournament, or will Malawi send shock waves throughout Africa? The answer will come this October.