Malawi in barren draw with Tanzania ahead of Kenya tie
Flames salvaged a goalless draw with Tanzania in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam as both sides used the game to prepare for their coming weekend first leg of World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and the Ivory Coast respectively.
This is the Flames second draw in a friendly match in two games after another 2-2 draw against China Under-23. They are scheduled to face Zanzibar in another build-up match on Monday.
According to Joseph Mchekadona, a Malawian journalist residing in Tanzania, who watched the game, said that the Flames struggled and they could have lost the game.
Mchekadona stressed that Flames custodian Simplex Nthara was at his best as he denied Taifa Stars striker Mbwana Sumata several times to kiss Flames back of the net.
He however, saluted Flames trio of unattached Russell Mwafulirwa, left back dangerous raider Moses ‘Luba’ Chavula and Spanish based Robin Ngalande for being outstanding on the Flames side.
“We have a lot of work to do in Kenya if the performance our team displayed on Saturday is anything to go by, however there were some good individual display from Chavula, Russell and Ngalande,” said Mchekadona.
Flames coach was satisfied with the draw describing it was not bad.
“It is not a bad result because l was trying to access the combination of my players as you are aware it is the first time for many locally based to play with foreign based,” said Phiri.
He hailed the Mozambique based Zico Mkanda —who was making his debut for the Flames—and the Spain-based Ngalande for their outstanding performances.
Flames line-up: Simplex Nthala, Chavula, Sangala, Namwela, Mzava, Davie Banda, Joseph Kamwendo, Frank Banda (Zakazaka), Ndaziona Chatsalira, Ngalande (CJ Banda), Mkanda (Mwafulirwa.)
