Malawi beaten 1-4 by Zimbabwe: Chimodzi takes positives from friendly match
Malawi football team, the Flames, on Wednesday went down 1-4 to Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Kamuzu Stadium today afternoon in coach Young Chimodzi’s first warm-up game in front of a sizable home crowd.
The Flames made life difficult for themselves when they failed to use home ground advantage to play second fiddle to the Warriors who played fluid game and never looked lacking in every department.
After a good start in the first half they never looked back and added the icing on the cake with a goal scored as early as the 13th minute through Peter Moyo’s who fired into the net from close range from a throw in which found Malawi defence napping on the 20th minute.
However Malawi were lucky to go for recess trailing by just a single goal after Zimbabwe’s Kingston Nkhata’s charging in the penalty box was dealt with defender Pilrani Zonda.
The Flames were a better side after pep talk and nearly scored just a minute into the second.
However they had to wait until the 50th minute to equalize through Atusaye Nyondo’s great header from a good Chimango Kaira delivery.
But Kudakwashe Mahachi restored the Warriors lead on the 54th minute when meeting in the box Nkhata’s cross which had the home defence again napping in the 54th minute
Zimbabwe added more misery for the hosts in the 71st minute as Nkhata beat Malawi’s off side trap to set free substitute Pasca Manhanga who slotted the ball in between substitute goalkeeper Charles Swini who had replaced Simplex Nthala.
Nkhata was on score sheet again when he tapped in from close range for a fourth after getting on to the end of Mahachi’s crosss from the right on to seal the comprehensive win for the visitors.
Chimodzi looking dejected however downplayed the result.
“What is important is for me to assess the players. We will see what happens next,” said ever ice-cool coach Chimodzi.
The Flames were back into action today, a Fifa date, after exactly six months in the wilderness to kick-start preparations for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
The last time the Flames played was on September 6 last year against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in a 2014 World Cup qualifier which they lost 2-0 away in Calabar
Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa said Malawi team has potential and back Chimodzi to succeed.
“It’s always good to win especially when you are scoring goals,” Gorowa said.
He said Malawi looks to be building a good side.
