Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri has been offered an extension to his contract after guiding the Flames to only their second ACN finals and masterminding their shock 3-0 win over Algeria on Monday.   Phiri took charge in May 2008 and has been widely credited with the upswing in the Flames’ fortunes.   Malawian FA president Walter Nyalimandu told BBC Sport: “Kinnah is a treasure to the nation. I wouldn’t be so stupid as to give him away.”

Phiri said: “I am very proud. I don’t think I’ve disappointed the Malawian people since I took over.”

And in the wake of Monday’s historic victory he added: “If I retired today I am sure I did something for the development of Malawian football.”

A win over hosts Angola this evening (Thursday) would take the Flames into their first-ever ACN quarter-finals.

Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins has returned to Europe for treatment on the shin injury which made him a pre-tournament doubt.

Martins was surprisingly overlooked as a substitute when the Super Eagles were chasing an equaliser in their opening Group C match against Egypt, which they eventually lost 3-1.

But his non-appearance was due to his right shin continuing to cause him pain. A Nigerian FA spokesman explained: “Experts said this should not be the case, so he has gone back to Europe to see his specialist.”