National Sports

Flames concede late equaliser

So the last-minute hurdle continues to haunt the Flames.

It was the same old stuff of losing concentration towards the very end as the Flames allowed hosts Zanzibar to snatch a late equaliser on Monday night to settle for a 1-all draw in an international friendly match.

Just like it was on that fateful scorching summer evening in Chad’s capital N’djamena last year when victory appeared to be within touching distance for a historic back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualification, the Flames blew it in the last minute and allowed Zanzibar to equalise with only seconds to full time.

According to press reports from Zanzibar, the Flames took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through evergreen midfielder Frank Banda who has been scoring freely for the Flames lately.

He was again on target when the Flames held the Chinese Under-22 side to a 2-all draw recently.

Flames coach Kinnah Phiri admitted that there was a lapse in concentration on the part of the Flames towards the end.

“Zanzibar’s goal came from a free kick just when it appeared we would hold on to a 1-0 win. It came through a defensive lapse.

“Nevertheless, it was a good preparatory match for us. The two friendly matches have helped us tune up for Kenya and I am confident that we’ll do well on Saturday,” said Kinnah.

Zanzibar are ranked 117—15 places below the Flames.

The Flames are set to depart for Nairobi from Dar es Salaam this morning.

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