Malawi draw blank with Mafco Club ahead of Zimbabwe tie
Malawi national team, the Flames on Wednesday drew 0-0 against a Super League side, Mafco FC in a strength testing match which took place at MDC Stadium in Blantyre.
The Flames are preparing to face Zimbabwe on Sunday in Harare in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
Mafco made the brighter start with Stain Malata and Saidi Mtekama firing shots off target
But the Flames were then indebted to Charles Swini, who kept out Mbulu’s header and Mtekama’s low shot in quick succession
Chances at either end were plenty in the opening 20 minutes.
Peter Wadabwa’s shot from Francis Mlimbika knock down was inches wide and Mafco’s right defender Zikhole Nguluwe’s effort was brilliantly saved again by Swini in the bottom corner.
Flames forwards Chiukepo Msowoya and Peter Wadabwa combined to trouble the soldiers defence in the 38th minute when the latter’s low shot forced Justin Kapalamula into a fine save.
Mbulu’s shot early in the second half was turned away by Swini and at the other end Msowoya pulled his effort from inside the area wide.
In this half, the Flames made several changes bringing in Gabadihno Mhango, Mecium Mhone and Gerald Phiri jnr for Joseph Kamwendo, Rafiq Namwera and Peter Wadabwa.
Mhango’s presence after being introduced was felt five minutes later, when he set up a clear chance following a swift counter-attack, but Gerald Phiri angled drive flashed inches the wrong side of a post and fellow midfielder Wonder Jereman, who had a grant game was off target from outside the box.
Then Mhango was at it again when he blazed a shot from inside the area over the crossbar and Mafco, who were outplayed in this last half responded through defender Zikhole’s 66th-minute header.
But Flames continued to look the more likely to break the deadlock. Msowoya went close from long range before Gerald Phiri fizzed a shot wide with seven minutes left following Stanely Sanudi’s assist.
The Flames almost snatched it in the 90th minute when striker Chiukepo Msowoya headed Sanudi’s cross wide but the game ended goalless.
However, the Flames featured Charles Swini in goals, while John Lanjesi, Francis Mlimbika and Stanely Sanudi mounted the defence.
On the midfield, there was Joseph Kamwendo, Wonder Jeremani, Rafiq Namwera and John Banda, while Peter Wadabwa and Chiukepo Msowoya were upfront.
In the second half, Kamwendo, Wadabwa and Namwera were substituted for Gerald Phiri, Gabadihno Mhango and Mecuim Mhone.
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