Malawi’s Cosafa Cup dream up in smoke
Malawi National Football Team crashed out of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup after in dramatic fashion after 1-1 draw against e-Swatini (formerly) at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
It was a painful result as The Flames conceded a controversial penalty in added on time when captain Christopher John Banda was adjudged to have fouled an e-Swatini player Leone Manyisa.
Sabelo Ndzinisa stepped up and fired past Clever Nkungula to end Malawi’s dream of a quarter-finals.
The incident robbed of their Flames chanced to revive their hopes of to reaching the quarter-finals.
After a promising first half, which saw coach Mario Marinica making five changes to the team that lost 2-1 to less-fancied Lesotho in the opening match on Wednesday, Malawi failed to get the much needed goal.
However Polokwane City striker Khuda Muyaba scored barely a minute after resumption. It was benefitting result as Marinica made a bold substitution when Stain Dave replaced seasoned South Africa-based Gabadinho Mhango.
Mhango did not spark as much as lack of game time was evident to have taken a toll on his fitness.
His best contribution was when he laid a tantalising pass to Christopher Banda whose efforts went agonisingly close to the relief of e-Swatini.
Later, Lesotho beat Mauritius 2-1 to make it two out of two Group B.
The result means Lesotho lead the group with six points while e-Swatini are second with four points.
Malawi’s Flames are third with a point while Mauritius remain third with no point.
The last round of the group matches will see Malawi facing Mauritius while e-Swatini and Lesotho clash in the other group’s match.
The status quo in the group means even if Malawi wins against Mauritius on Sunday they cannot overtake Lesotho who already have six points.
The battle for quarter-finals qualification is now between Lesotho and e-Swatini while the match between Mauritius and Malawi is a dead rubber.
They will now settle for Plate Division, which has been reintroduced
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
