Malawi draw with AFCON bound Sudan
Malawi national football team, the Flames on Wednesday settled for a goalless draw with Sudan in CECAFA Senior Challenge at Dar-es-Salaam Stadium.
Malawi could have qualified for ithe quarter-finals if they had beaten Sudan, the only team at the Cecafa Cup who will contest January’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The Flames were disjointed in all the departments as they lacked composure and confidence on the ball.
Even the commentator of the televised match for SuperSport was amused with the Flames poor form comparing it with their previous game against Kenya.
“This is not the Malawi side that played good football against Kenya. They are failing to build up from the back as a result they have resorted into playing high balls to their strikers,” one commentator said.
Flames coach Kinnah Phiri featured Escom United goalkeeper Charles Swini to man the posts as James Sangala, Pilirani Makupe, Steven Chagoma and Emmanuel Zoya were left with the mantle to marshal the defence.
On the enginerooms of the team, Phiri banked his hopes on Mighty Wanderers duo of Nafe Msasa and Joseph Kamwendo.
Kamwendo showed some experience as he taunted Sudan defence twice.
On the wings, Phiri featured the Banda’s brothers John and Frank to supply balls to Loti Chawinga,who failed to tick in the entire game until he was substituted in the second half for Gastin Simkonda.
Phiri also introduced Escom United left winger Ndaziona Chatsalira for Kamwendo.
After the encounter, Phiri praised his boys for the outcome of the game and blamed hot weather as one factor to their failure in displaying their usual football.
“The heat affected us so much but our focus now is on our next game against Ethiopia where we only need a draw or a win to progress through.” said Phiri.
Malawi remains leaders in their Group C after winning their opening match against Kenya’s Harambe Stars.
The Flames have four point and followed by Kenya with three points.
The Harambe Stars got their CECAFA campaign back on track with a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia.
Sudan has two points after drawing with Ethiopia 1-1 in their first match.
Flames next game is on Friday against Ethiopia.
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