MALAWI 1 (Mbulu 10’)
MOZAMBIQUE 0
Malawi national football team, the Flames have ended Mozambique’s 12 year dominance after narrowly edging the Mambas 1-0 in a Group D World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier.
Baroka FC striker Richard Mbulu scored the only goal of the match played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa since Malawi’s home Bingu National Stadium did not pass CAF inspection.
Mbulu took advantage of a wild back pass by a Mozambique defender to head into an empty net a rebound in the 10th minute after the Mambas goalkeeper Ernan Siluane who could not handle the ball to avoid a free kick, headed the ball into the post before failing on the side.
Malawi went on to take control of the game and Mambas had to thank substitute goalkeeper substitute goalkeeper Victor Guambe, who replaced Siluane at half time, for some terrific saves.
The Costa do Sol goalkeeper denied Gabadinho Mhango with fingertip save after the Orlando Pirates striker beat two Mambas defenders.
Simba FC’s Peter Banda also saw his effort parried for corner after breaking on the right wing.
In added on time it was Polokwane striker Khuda Muyaba’s turn as the goalkeeper yet made another save from the former Silver Strikers’ volley.
Coach Meck Mwase made four changes to the squad that lost 2-0 to Cameroon last week.
Mighty Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa returned to action since 2018 in place of Nysa Big Bullets’ Ernest Kakhobwe.
South Africa-based strikers Frank Gabadinho Mhango and Khuda Muyaba who were introduced as substitutes in the match against Cameroon, started this time around alongside Mbulu.
But Mwase maintained Simba FC’s Peter Banda, John CJ Banda and Gerald Phiri Jnr in midfield.
The back four of Moldova-based Charles Petro, captain AmaZulu’s Limbikani Mzava, Polokwane City’s Dennis Chembezi and Mighty Wanderers’ Stanley Sanudi remained intact.
In the second half, Mwase introduced Yamikani Chester to replace Mbulu while Chikoti Chirwa came in for Phiri Jnr.
Mwase also made another double substitution, introducing Francisco Madinga and Chimwemwe Idana for Mhango and Peter Banda towards the end of the game to seal the victory.
The Flames are now third in a the group, one behind pool leaders Ivory Coast and level with Cameroon while Mozambique anchor the table with a point.
Mwase thanked his charges for the response after losing 2-0 to Cameroon in the opening match.
The Flames now play back-to-back home and away qualifiers against the Ivory Coast in October, while Mozambique do likewise against Cameroon
LINE UPS
MALAWI
24 Richard Chipuwa, 2 Stanley Sanudi, 3 Charles Petro, 5 Chembezi Denis, 19 Limbikani Mzava (C) , 10 Gerald Phiri( Chikoti Chirwa 72′), 11 Gabadinho Mhango ( FranciscoMadinga 86′), 13 Peter Banda k Chimwemwe Idana 86′), 17 John Banda, 9 Richard Mbulu(Yamikani Chester 61′), 22 Khuda Ike Muyaba
SUBS
1 Brighton Munthali, 4 Tawonga Chimodzi, 6 Chikoti Chirwa, 8 Chimwemwe Idana, 12 Peter Cholopi, 14 Nickson Nyasulu, 18 Francisco Madinga, 20 Yamikani Chester, 21 Gomezgani Chirwa
MOZAMBIQUE
1 Ernan Siluane, 3 Zainadine Junior (C), 13 Martinho Thauzene, 14 Norberto Marcelino Norbeto, 5 Feliciano Jone, 11 Luis Miquissone, 17 Reinildo, 23 Shaquille Nangy, 15 Estevão Novela, 18 Ocozias Nhaca, 20 Bruno Langa
SUBS
2 Francisco Simbine, 7 Fidel de Sousa, 8 Nilton Ernesto, 9 Melque Alexandre, 10 Geny Catamo, 12 Victor Guambe, 16 Victor Jacinto, 19 Cândido Mathe, 21 Danilo Muzé, 21 Salas Joaquim Malico, 22 Ivane Urrubal
