The Flames are now joint bottom of Group L of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside Guinea following their loss to Zimbabwe’s Warriors on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.
The Flames went down 1-2 to hastily assembled Warriors while Guinea also suffered a shock defeat by a similar margin.
Zimbabwe stunned the Flames by taking the lead in the 21st minute through Cuthburt Malajila, but barely a minute later, the Flames equalised through unsung hero John ‘CJ’ Banda following a beautiful move that involved captain Joseph Kamwendo and Zicco Mkanda.
The two teams were tied two-all at interval and the Flames stepped up their act in the second half, but it was the Warriors who carried the day through Khama Billiat with only eight minutes.
It was a goal that broke the hearts of the packed stadium.
Reacting to the loss, former Flames coach Young Chimodzi said the Flames did not play well.
“We were not up to it, we did not play well, but this is only the beginning of the campaign and hopefully we can do well in the coming games,” said Chimodzi.
Zimbabwe’s coach Callisto Pasuwa said considering the problems that rocked their camp, the win was a major boost.
“I am very excited that despite all the problems we had, the boys put that aside and fought for the cause of the nation,” said Pasuwa.
The Flames next assignment will be against Swaziland’s Sihlangu away in Mbabane in September this year.