Unlike Liverpool, Malawi’s destiny is in their own hands

In the Champions League, in order for Liverpool to make it to the last 16 they will need to win their remaining games against Fiorentina and Debrecen and hope that Fiorentina lose against Lyon. Lyon have already made it to the last 16. Since Lyon have already made it to the last 16 will they “play fair” against Fiorentina?

“We will play fair, we want to win the group and avoid getting a tougher draw in the next stage,” said Lyon manager Claude Puel.

Malawi and Liverpool are kind of in a similar situation. Malawi, Ivory Coast, Burkina and Guinea are in Group E. Click here for Group E Standings. Ivory Coast have already qualified for World Cup South Africa 2010 and Africa Cup of Nations Angola January 2010. Burkina Faso have already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations Finals Angola January 2010.

On November 14 Ivory Coast will host Guinea and Burkina Faso will host Malawi. Malawi and Guinea are fighting for the last slot (Africa Cup of Nations). Malawi have 4 points while Guinea have 3 points but Guinea have a better goal aggregate than Malawi.

Here are the scenarios that will send Malawi through:
Malawi win, Guinea lose
Malawi win, Guinea win
Malawi lose, Guinea lose
Malawi draw, Guinea lose
Malawi draw, Guinea draw

Here are the scenarios that will send Guinea through
Guinea win, Malawi lose
Guinea win, Malawi draw
Guinea draw, Malawi lose

Will Ivory Coast play fair? Will Burkina Faso play fair? Earlier we had this poll

Will Drogba play? Please note that Drogba came in as a substitute on minute 64 when Ivory Coast salvaged a draw against Malawi. Win or lose, Ivory Coast will still lead the group so the game will not have any effect on World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations draws. In my most humble opinion I think he will not play. Without Drogba Ivory Coast is just an average team so Guinea could manage to get a point.

Since the Flames control their own destiny all they need to do is beat Burkina Faso and then they are through. It seems the Flames are taking this game seriously. They were expected to leave on Monday next week for Ouagadougou and arrive Tuesday but the departure has been brought forward so they can acclimatize. They will leave this Saturday and arrive in Burkina Faso on Sunday. The prodigal son, Malawi’s Russia based pro, has been recalled and he will also make the trip. Most foreign based players will join the team on Tuesday.

After beating Guinea 2-1 Malawi prepared for the game against Burkina Faso on November 14 by participating in the COSAFA Senior Challenge. They were booted out after playing only one game (Mozambique 1 Malawi 0). By the way, the hosts (Zimbabwe) won the cup after beating Zambia 3-1 in the finals. Now it looks like the hosts (Nigeria) will also win the FIFA Under-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009.

Between Liverpool and Malawi, who do you think will make it to the round of 16(survey)