The Flames on Satuday held Tanzania to a goalless draw in a strength-testing match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Flames are tuning up for next weekend’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya. They are scheduled to face Zanzibar in another build-up match on Monday.
According to coach Kinnah Phiri, the Flames dominated the better part of the match and with an ounce of luck could have scored twice.
“We were just unlucky not to score, otherwise the boys played their lungs out.
“At one point, a Tanzania defender cleared the ball on the goal-line following a fine header from Robin Ngalande when we all thought it was a goal. And then Zico Mkanda was also unfortunate not to score from a similar attempt,” said Kinnah.
The Flames mentor said Mkanda—who was making his debut for the Flames—and the Spain-based Ngalande were outstanding.
“In fact, the entire team played well, but these two boys stood out. I was very impressed with the performance of the team, it was encouraging,” said Kinnah.
He also said the defence, that comprised James Sangala, Foster Namwela, Moses Chavula [stand-in captain] and Limbikani Mzava, stood firm.
“We had to take out Ngalande as the game progressed because he suffered a knock, but it wasn’t that serious. It was just a precautionary measure,” he said.
He also said experienced strikers Russell Mwafulirwa and Jimmy Zakazaka were introduced as second-half substitutes for Frank Banda and Mkanda, respectively. Following was the Flames line-up: Simplex Nthala, Chavula, Sangala, Namwela, Mzava, Davie Banda, Joseph Kamwendo, Frank Banda (Zakazaka), Ndaziona Chatsalira, Ngalande (CJ Banda), Mkanda (Mwafulirwa.
