The Flames on Thursday afternoon chalked up their first point and clean sheet in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers following a 0-0 draw against Burundi at Stade Felix Houphouet Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Going into the match Flames, who are already out of contention for a place at the continental showcase had no point after losing all the previous four matches.
Caretaker Coach Kalitso Pasuwa brought back Charles Petro, Alick Lungu, Richard Mbulu and Gabadinho Mhango in the starting line up after being on the sidelines for quite sometime.
He also gave Bullets midfielder Yankho Singo his debut while maintaining six others from the previous match in goalkeeper William Thole, McDonald Rameck, Dennis Chembezi, captain John Banda, Gaddi Chirwa and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Flames started on high note getting two corner kicks inside the first 14 minutes, but Burundi defended well on both occasions.
In the 15th minute Malawi got another corner kick after Gaddi Chirwa’s pass to find Mbulu in the box iwas headed out by Burundi defender Nduwarugira Christophe. Chirwa took the corner but once again Burundi defends well.
Burundi’s first chance came in the 35th minute when Dennis Chembezi fouled Pacifique Niyongabire at the edge of the box . The Malawi wall blocked the free kick for a corner kick which was well defended.
Three minutes from the close of the first half, Malawi got a free kick on the edge of the box following a foul on Richard Mbulu, but Gabadinho’s effort went wide.
The first half ended goalless.
Burundi started the second half on a high as they kept knocking on Malawi’s doors.
They almost got the opener at 50 minutes as Malawi failed to clear a cross in the box but Nsabiyumva’s weak shot was an easy pick for Thole.
Pasuwa made a triple change at 62nd minute as Yankho Singo, Richard Mbulu and Gaddi Chirwa paved way for Chawanangwa Kaonga, Loyd Njaliwa and Lloyd Aoron.
Seven minutes later he introduced Gomezgani Chirwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira for McDonald Lameck and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Burundi came close to finding the back of the net again when they got two back-to-back corner kicks at 77th minute . The second one taken by Shassiri Nahiman found captain Fredric whose free header produced a reflex save from Thole.
Malawi best chance came in the 86th minute when Chawanangwa Kaonga beat his man on the right before sending a cross which Burundi keeper Nahimana parried in the path of Mpinganjira who unselfishly laid it for Gabadinho Mhango in the penalty box. But Mhango’s shot was saved on the line by Nahimana.
Two minutes into stoppage time Malawi exchanged passes in Burundi half which ended with Gomezgani Chirwa setting up Gabadinho Mhango, but the striker’s bicycle kick went.
It ended goalless and Malawi still at the bottom of group L with just appoint.
The Flames will warp the campaign with a home tie against Burkina Faso at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Flames line up: William Thole (GK),Macdonald Lameck ( Gomezgani Chirwa 70’), Charles Petro, Denis Chembezi Richard Mbulu ( Loyd Njaliwa 62’), Gabadinho Mhango,Alick Lungu ,John Banda (C) ,Gaddie Chirwa ( Chawanangwa Kaonga 62’)Lanjesi Nkhoma ( Wisdom Mpinganjira 70’),Yankho Singo (Lloyd Aoron 62’)
Unused Subs: Richard Chimbamba, George Chikooka, Nickson Mwase, Nickson Nyasulu, Patrick Mwaungulu, Zebron Kalima, Maxwell Paipi
