Malawi lose to Zambia in international friendly

Malawi national football team on Thursday lost 1-0 to Zambia in a strength testing match in preparations for its back to back 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Zambia scored the lone goal through Collins Sikombe in the 21st minute in a match played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Flames Assistant coach Lovemore Fazili, who was in charge of the team in the absence of head coach Meke Mwase said the game has helped them look at the abilities of local based players ahead of the Burkina Faso matches later this month.

Mwase missed the encounter as he is undergoing a refresher course in Netherlands.

Fazili who revealed they will play a defensive minded game however faulted his troops for lacking confidence especially in the first half.

“We were late on the ball and were poor at marking which resulted into the goal. We improved in the second half and created a number of scoring opportunities but failed to finish,” said Fazili.

“The game has helped us because we wanted to see our defending capabilities and this has worked very well,” added Fazili.

The team will regroup on Monday to continue preparations for the Burkina Faso encounter.

Below were the starting lineups for both sides:

MALAWI

Brighton Munthali (William Thole 46′ Rabson Chiyenda 80′) , Peter Cholopi, Nickson Nyasulu, Precious Sambani (Gomezgani Chirwa 60′), Stanley Sanudi, Chimango Kayira, Chikoti Chirwa (Raffick Namwera 46′), Chimwemwe Idana (Foster Bitoni 80′), Peter Banda (Duncan Nyoni 45′), Micium Mhone (Isaac Kaliati 46′) Hassan Kajoke (Vincent Nyangulu 46′)

ZAMBIA
16. Jackson Kakunta, 2. Gift Zulu, 20. Zachariah Chilongoshi, 23. Luka Banda, 6. Benson Sakala, 13. Leonard Mulenga, 17. Jimmy Ndhlovu, 22. Chaniza Zulu, 12. Tapson Kaseba, 14. Collins Sikombe, 7. Robin Siame