Malawi through to CECAFA quarter finals
Malawi national football team, the Flames, have booked themselves a place in the quarter-finals of the Cecafa Cup after a one-all draw with Ethiopia on Friday.
Henry ‘Magetsi’ Kabichi scored a vital goal to secure a creditable point when he netted from a beautifully taken free kick.
Kabichi was introduced from the bench after John Banda sustained an injury.
Ethiopia went ahead on the quarter hour mark after Malawi defender Emmanuel Zoya handled the ball in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. The Ethiopians scored.
The Flames, topped the table in Group C with 5 points, displayed tick-tucker football as the combination of Chimango Kaira and Frank Banda was a marvel to watch.
Flames coach Kinnah Phiri featured almost the same players he had thrown into service in the previous games against Kenya and Sudan.
In goals, Escom United custodian was left with the mantle to man the posts as James Sangala, Pililani Makupe ,Emmanuel Zoya and Steven Chagoma were assigned to marshal the back line.
On the midfield, Phiri opted for Philip Masiye and Chimango Kaira as the Banda brothers John and Frank operated from the wings.
Phiri also played Ndaziona Chatsalira and Loti Chawinga leaving the likes of Joseph Kamwendo, Nafe Misasa and Henry Kabichi who were introduced in the second half.
However, Flames saw two of its realiable players Emmanuel Zoya and John Banda off the field of play due to injuries.
In other group, Burundi pulled off a shock 1-0 victory over Uganda to go through to the quarte-finals.
Uganda are also through from Group B, despite the defeat.
In the day’s other game, Zanzibar beat Somalia 3-0 – a result which sends Somalia out of the competition.
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