Flames lose to Bafana in Cosafa warm-up: Gerald Phiri Jnr scores for Malawi

Malawi national football team, the Flames on Friday went down 1-2 to Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Mogwase Stadium in friendly preparations for the Cosafa Cup tournament.

Gerald Phiri Jnr offered a few flickers of encouragement to the Flames as he was one of the few players to emerge with any real distinction and he scored the Malawi goal.

Bafana had gone ahead after Tlou Segolela scored 15 minutes into the game, capitalising from a mistake by goalkeeper Charles Swini, who failed to deal with Marc van Heerden’s free-kick.

Then Phumelele Bhengu doubled Bafana’s lead with a powerful shot in the 25th minute, as the home side took control of the game.

Bafana held on to their lead going into the second half, with Malawi hardly threatening them in the first 45 minutes.

South Africa could not maintain their first half performance, and they allowed Malawi to pull one back just before the hour-mark.

Gerald Phiri beat Jackson Mabokgwane with a fine finish to give the Flames hope going into the final 30 minutes of the game.

However, Bafana managed to keep their opponents at bay for a much deserved 2-1 win heading into their opening game of the Cosafa Cup tournament against Botswana on Sunday.

Malawi coach Young Chimodzi has plenty to consider for his squad in the Cosafa tournament.

It still looks positive for the Flames.

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