Malawi’s Flames suffered a narrow defeat to Ethiopia in an international friendly played at Dire Dawa International Stadium on Saturday, with an early goal from the hosts proving decisive.
Ethiopia took the lead just three minutes into the match through Fitmus Tirahun, who scored a reboundafter from a corner Malawi were caught off guard in the early stages.
The Flames responded with purpose and nearly equalised in the 13th minute when Lloyd Njaliwa combined well with Mwisho Mhango, but the Ethiopian goalkeeper produced a good save to deny Malawi.
As the first half progressed, Malawi grew into the match, with Christopher Kumwembe, Chifundo Mphasi and Emmanuel Nyirenda pushing the team forward. The Flames also had two penalty appeals waved away following challenges on Kumwembe inside the box.
Malawi made changes at the break, introducing Gaddie Chirwa and Blessings Singini as they looked to add energy in attack. The Flames dominated large spells of the second half, pressing Ethiopia into their own half and creating several clear chances.
Kumwembe came close with a powerful effort that went narrowly wide, while Mphasi and Chirwa also forced the Ethiopian goalkeeper into action. In the 72nd minute, a poor back pass presented Mphasi with a golden opportunity, but the goalkeeper once again came to Ethiopia’s rescue.
Late in the match, Babatunde Adepoju connected well with a cross from Emmanuel Nyirenda, but his header went just wide despite beating the goalkeeper.
Flames head coach Kalisto Pasuwa said the team paid the price for starting slowly and failing to take its chances.
“We started off slowly. We conceded from a corner kick in the early minutes of the game and we lost concentration. We had chances and it is unfortunate that we did not get a goal in the first half,” said Pasuwa.
“In the second half, after the changes, we came good and had more clear chances than our opponents. It is unfortunate that we could not take the chances that we created,” he added.
Pasuwa said the match underlined the importance of being clinical at international level.
“At this level of football, if you do not take one chance, you are punished,” he said.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday at the same venue.
LINE UP:
16 Thole William, 2 Lameck McDonald, 3 Petro Charles (C), 5 Chembezi Dennis, 6 Aaron Lloyd(Singini Blessings45’), 7 Mhango Mwisho, 8 Njaliwa Lloyd, 9 Kumwembe Christopher(Adepoju Babatunde 63,), 10 Madinga Francisco(Chirwa Gaddie 45’), 11 Mphasi Chifundo, 20 Nyirenda Emmanuel.
Unused Subs:
1 Chikooka George, 23 Waka Joshua, 4 Jaziya Washali, 15 Duwe Festus, 17 Singo Yankho, 21 Saizi Robert, 22 Rundles Luciano
