Friday, March 5, 2021
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Front Page

Flames in Cosafa quarter-final after four years

by Joy Ndovi
29/05/2019
in Front Page, National Sports
4 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Malawi national football team yesterday set up a Cosafa Cup quarter-final clash  against neighbours Zambia’s Chipolopolo after coming from behind to beat  2015 champions Namibia 2-1 at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, South Africa.

The Flames proved their 3-0 win over lowly-ranked Seychelles was not a fluke by following it up with yet another good performance as they came from behind to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in four years with a game in hand.

RelatedHeadlines

Covid-19 patient Admissions ease

4 athletes in Zambia for Olympics qualifiers

Covid-19 restrictions affect NAM elections

Precious Sambani | The Nation Online
Malawi’s Precious Sambani avoids a tackle

Malawi will still top the table even if they lose to Mozambique in their final group game since Namibia will still finish second if they win or draw their last match against Seychelles.

The tournament’s first tie-breaker is head-to-head comparison.

After a calm start, Namibia drew first blood in the 16th minute when Charles Vetunuavi Hambira caught Malawi defence flat-footed and headed in from a corner kick, but Frank Gabadinho Mhango levelled just before recess in the 43rd minute with a thunderous strike from almost an impossible angle deep in the box, before Gerald Phiri Jnr scored the winner from the spot in the 48th minute.

The result means Malawi top Group B table with six points while Namibia are second with three points.

Mozambique and Seychelles, who drew 0-0, lie third and fourth with a point each following their goalless draw ahead of the last set of group matches.

Knowing that a winning team needs to be maintained, caretaker coach Meke Mwase maintained the first XI that hammered Seychelles 3-0 in the opening match.

Goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe was excellent in  goals.

He made some good saves to stop Namibia’s offensive spearheaded by their playmaker Joslin  Mbatjulia Kamatuka.

The Brave Warriors, however, still snatched the lead when Hambira rose to nod in from the resultant corner kick after  Kakhobwe stopped Kamatuka in one-on-one situation.

But the Flames staged a fierce comeback to level the scores before recess.

An aerial battle in the danger zone allowed Gabadinho to sneak behind the defence and fire home a freaked ball at close range.

Phiri Jnr doubled the lead just after recess from the spot kick after Mbulu was cut down in the box by Vutapi Vitapi Ngaruka.

Though Malawi have a reputation of conceding in dying minutes, this time Mwase’s boys showed they meant business when they proclaimed earlier that the Flames had entered a new era as they held on to the lead.

In fact, Gabadinho should have made it 3-1 in added on time but Namibia keeper Loydt Jaseuavi Kazapua miraculously kept out his shot.

Though a big achievement for Mwase, the coach downplayed the feat.

“It was a tough game. It was 50-50. That’s why you saw all the smiles on the players. But the battle is still on as we face Zambia in the quarterfinal,” he said.

His counterpart Collin Benjamin said lack of experience cost them the match since they brought a team of local players only.

“I would say lack of experience cost us the game,” he said.

Captain John CJ Banda, who was named man of the match, thanked his teammates for reaching the knockout stage.

Previous Post

Celebrations end tragically in Thyolo

Next Post

Super League action back

Related Posts

Mndolo | The Nation Online
National News

Covid-19 patient Admissions ease

March 4, 2021
Part of the team: Lifa
National Sports

4 athletes in Zambia for Olympics qualifiers

March 4, 2021
Matiya | The Nation Online
National Sports

Covid-19 restrictions affect NAM elections

March 4, 2021
Next Post
soccer | The Nation Online

Super League action back

Opinions and Columns

In pursuit of development

The future of aid

March 4, 2021
Business Unpacked

Take time to know your pension’s worth

March 4, 2021
Rise and Shine

How do successful people think?

March 4, 2021
My Turn

Unmasking Covid-19 vaccine

March 3, 2021

Trending Stories

  • Under probe: The Reserve Bank building in Mzuzu

    Exclusive: RBM’s Mzuzu branch payment mess exposed

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Minister wants Msundwe police officers prosecuted

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Charcoal traffickers fined K800 000, vehicle forfeited

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Macra to introduce fees for phone numbers

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Malawian boxer risks life ban

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2021 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.