Flames lose to Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso 3 (Lassina Troure 2′,26′, Dabo Bryn 87′ ) Malawi 1 ( Gerald Phir JNR 80′ Pen)

Malawi national football men’s team on Thursday lost 3-1 away to Burkina Faso in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) first leg match played behind closed doors at Stade du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The Flames were behind as early as two minutes when Ajax FC striker Frank Lassina Traore gave the hosts the lead before grabbing a brace in the 26th minute. He found himself at the end of a good cross from Issa Kabore, who got the better of left back Precious Sambani.

The hosts dominated the first half as the Flames sat too deep, inviting pressure.

Flames best chances of the first half came to Schumacher Kuwali who forced Stallions goalkeeper Babayoure Sawadodo to make a save in the 18th minute before Chimwemwe Idana wasted a chance after shooting straight into the palms of the goalkeeper after nice work from overlapping defender Stanley Sanudi with five minutes before the break

Sensing danger, Flames Coach Meck Mwase made a double substitution when he introduced Rafik Namwera and Micium Mhone for Idana and Kuwali, respectively.

In the second half, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute after defender Peter Cholopi brought down Traore but the striker failed to grab a hat trick when he blasted the ball over the bar.

Mwase also introduced Duncan Nyoni and Gerald Phiri Junior for Chikoti Chirwa and Yamikani Chester, respectively, in the 65th minute. With 10 minutes to full time, the Flames were awarded a penalty after a handball as a Burkina Faso player attempted to clear a Precious Sambani cross.

Dead ball specialist Phiri Junior made no mistake as he converted for the Flames in the 80th minute but it was the hosts who delivered a killer punch with three minutes to full time from the penalty spot. Bryn Dabo scored from the penalty spot. Malawi hosts the Stallions in the second leg at Kamuzu Stadium on Monday.

The Flames were without key striker Gabadinho Mhango due to injury.
In defence, Mwase trusted the back four of Stanley Sanudi, Cholopi, Charles Petro and Sambani whereas goalkeeper Brighton Munthali reclaimed his place after he was an unused substitute in a goal-less draw against Zimbabwe in a friendly at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.

Earlier in the day, Uganda kept their Afcon qualification dream alive with a 1-0 victory over South Sudan in Kampala, Uganda. Uganda and Burkina Faso are joint leaders with seven points each whereas Malawi is third with three points. South Sudan anchor the group without a point.

Flames line up: Brighton Munthali, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Charles Petro, Chikoti Chirwa ( Duncain Nyoni 65’), John Banda, Chimwemwe Idana ( Rafiq Namwera 45’), Schumacher Kuwali ( Micium Mhone 45’), Yamikani Chester ( Gerald Phiri 65’), Richard Mbulu.

May 18, 2025

Civil, Silver join Karonga, Bullets in Airtel Top 8 Semifinals

Two Lilongwe-based sides, Civil Service United and Silver Strikers, have completed the Airtel Top 8 Cup semifinal lineup, joining...
May 18, 2025

Malawi U-20 Progress to Second Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Malawi’s Under-20 women’s national team has advanced to the second round of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup...
May 17, 2025

Malawi U-17 Girls Finish as COSAFA 2025 Runners-Up

The Malawi Under-17 Girls’ National Football Team finished as runners-up at the 2025 COSAFA Championship after a 3-0 defeat...
May 17, 2025

MALAWI U20 WOMENS READY FOR CAR

Malawi Under 20 Coach Maggie Chombo says her charges will not sit back in their FIFA World Cup Qualifier...
May 16, 2025

Malawi U17 Girls March into COSAFA Final

The Malawi Under-17 Girls National Team are through to their first ever  COSAFA U17 Championship after edging Mozambique 1-0...
May 15, 2025

Malawi ready for Moz in Cosafa girls U17 semis

Malawi Under 17 girls’ quest for glory at the 2025 Cosafa Women’s Under 17 championship faces a stern test...