Flames overcame captain Lucky Malata’s red-carding and first-choice goalkeeper McDonald Harawa’s illness to beat Zambia and lift the 2015 Cosafa Plate Trophy last night here at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in South Africa.
Striker Zicco Mkanda’s 59th minute freak goal, earned through a low shot that hit the foot of the upright then rolled into the net, came after Zambia captain and goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene mis-kicked the ball on his goal line while attempting a routine clearance.
Coach Young Chimodzi, back after an illness, celebrated as Malata lifted the trophy on the pitch.
The Flames received an equivalent of K2.6 million (R75 000) to atone for a miserable start to the 14-member tournament.
Flames players rushed to the eastern terraces and celebrated with a handful of Malawian fans who rallied behind the team throughout the tournament.
The Flames, licking the wounds of their mainstream Cosafa Cup quarter-final exit, made amends with a battling display as they overcame the sending of Malata in the 65th minute for a second bookable offence after fouling Jackson Mwanza. Zambia, too, lost to a red card Donashano Malama for a similar offence.
Chimodzi this time around got his tactics right as he was brave enough to let Gerald Phiri Jnr finish the match and give the Flames some attacking and defending impetus. Phiri, only in his third competitive game, picked man-of- match award as the Flames swept all here.
Another bold Chimodzi move was pulling out all-attack-minded Robin Ngalande, who had come in for Tizgobere Kumwenda, for defensive Bashir Maunde. The move helped the Flames repel Zambia’s attacks.
Before the kick-off, the concerns in the Flames camp were two-fold: how to defeat rivals Zambia and deal with the absence of realistic substitute goalkeeper.
Harawa reportedly fell ill minutes before the match leaving Chimodzi, who too missed Wednesday’s plate semi-final against South Africa through illness, with only Charles Swini to rely on. In the event of eventualities, veteran winger Fischer Kondowe was to step in as the Flames’ custodian.
At home, there were scenes so lovely in the locations and drinking joints as soccer-loving Malawians celebrated Flames win over their traditional regional rivals, which provided relief following the team’s exit from the tournament.
“We threw everything into the game after a disappointing exit. The guys have gained experience from this tournament because for most of them, it was their first appearance,” Chimodzi told Supersport after the match.
Namibia face Mozambique in the final match today.
