Malawi vs. Ivory Coast: Known Knowns

HOME ADVANTAGE:

Home advantage is critical. Refs favor the home team. The refs get under pressure from the home crowd and that affects their decision-making. Yes that’s a concern. In 50-50 situations the calls are always in favor of the home team and tomorrow’s game won’t be any different. Home advantage aside, refs also favor big teams. Stakes are high. Who would you rather represent Africa, unknown Malawi or Drogba and Ivory Coast?

TEAM CAPTAINS:

Malawi: Peter Mponda

Date of birth: September 4, 1981
Place of birth: Malawi
Playing position: Defender
Current Club: Black Leopards

Peter’s FIFA Statistics and Records

Peter Mponda is a sweeper. He is a more versatile type of center back that “sweeps up” the ball if the opponent manages to breach the defensive line. His position is rather more fluid than other defenders who man-mark their designated opponents. The sweeper’s ability to read the game is even more vital than for a centre back. A sweeper is sometimes expected to build counter-attacking moves, and as such requires better ball control and passing ability than a typical centre back. I think Peter Mponda is going to camp in his own half tomorrow. He’s expected to “marry”Drogba. Drogba will have to be guarded at all times. When Drogba is tying his shoe laces Peter Mponda should also play with his shoe laces right by Drogba’s side.

Ivory Coast: Didier Drogba
What more can I say?

NATIONAL ANTHEMS:

IVORY COAST: English Translation

We salute you, O land of hope,
Country of hospitality;
Thy gallant legions
Have restored thy dignity.

Beloved Ivory Coast, thy sons,
Proud builders of thy greatness,
All mustered together for thy glory,
In joy will construct thee.

Proud citizens of the Ivory Coast, the country call us.
If we have brought back liberty peacefully,
It will be our duty to be an example
Of the hope promised to humanity,
Forging unitedly in new faith
The Fatherland of true brotherhood.

MALAWI: English Translation

God bless our land of Malawi,
Keep it a land of peace.
Put down each and every enemy,
Hunger, disease, envy.
Join together all our hearts as one,
That we be free from fear.
Bless our leader,
each and every one,
And Mother Malawi.

Extended Version:

Our own Malawi, this land so fair,
Fertile and brave and free.
With its lakes, refreshing mountain air,
How greatly blest are we.
Hills and valleys, soil so rich and rare
Give us a bounty free.
Wood and forest, plains so broad and fair,
All – beauteous Malawi.
Freedom ever, let us all unite
To build up Malawi.
With our love, our zeal and loyalty,
Bringing our best to her.
In time of war, or in time of peace,
One purpose and one goal.
Men and women serving selflessly
In building Malawi.

LET THE GAME BEGIN.

Wawa! Wawa!

Tiyeni tikhale.

Tags: Team News