Mao foe sceptical about a total debacle (1,8,6)

I believe the answer is:

a complete fiasco

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'a total debacle' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'mao foe sceptical about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'mao'+'foe'+'sceptical'='maofoesceptical'
'maofoesceptical' anagrammed gives 'A COMPLETE FIASCO'.

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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