FULL TIME
Cameroun 2 (Vincent Aboubakar 9′, Michael Ngadeu 23′) 0 Malawi
Malawi’s Flames have started the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2021 Second round qualifying campaign on a wrong foot after going down 2-0 to Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde, Cameroon on friday night.
The other Group D members Mozambique and Ivory Coast settled for a draw in Maputo, Mozambique for the Indomitable Lions to top the group with three points.
In Yaounde, Saudi Arabia based Al-Nassr Football Club striker Vincent Aboubakar put the Indomitable Lions in the lead just nine minutes into the match beating Ernest Kakhobwe in Malawi goals.
Belgium-based Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui doubled the lead in the 23rd minute.
But Malawi managed to reorganise the defence and denied the hosts anymore more goals for the rest of the first-half.
Coach Meck Mwase made a double substitution in the 50th minute, pulling out midfielders Baroka FC’s Gerald Phiri Jnr and Tawonga Chimodzi for Orlando Pirates’ Gabadinho Mhango and Red Lions’ Chikoti Chirwa.
Striker Mhango almost pulled one back just five minutes into the match.
He dribbled past Cameroon defenders but his shot went beside the goal post.
An improved Malawi continued pressing for a goal and Simba FC’s Peter Banda saw his effort saved by Cameroon goalkeeper Eppasy in the 67th minute.
Another attempt from Gabadinho Mhango in the 72nd minute was also easily diffused by Epassy .
Mwase also replaced Baroka FC’s Richard Mbulu with Khuda Muyaba in the 76th minute.
The hosts had a chance of trippling the lead in 88th minute, but Napoli’s Andre Zambo Anguissa freekick a few meters from the box whizzed above the cross bar.
Malawi will be heading to South Africa to host Mozambique on September 7 in the second group D qualifier.
Malawi line up: Ernest Kakhobwe, Stanley Sanudi, Limbikani Mzava, Dennis Chembezi, Charles Petro, Tawonga Chimodzi (Chikoti Chirwa 50′), John Banda, Peter Banda, Yamikani Chester, Gerald Phiri Jnr (Gabadinho Mhango 50′) , Richard Mbulu (Khuda Myaba 76′)
Cameroon line up: Devis Epassy; Harold Moukoudi, Michael Ngadeu, Oliver Mbaizo, Collins Fai, Nicolas Ngamaleu(Bassogog) Karl Toko (Ganago), Pierre Kunde (Anguissa), Martin Hongla, Vincent Aboubakar (C) (Bahoken) and Eric Choupo-Motin
