Malawi National Football Team are out of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following a 1-0 to Senegal at Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.
The Flames went into the match hoping to salvage some pride on home soil but it ended in disappointment on Mothers Day holiday.
The defeat confirmed Malawi’s exit in the Afcon qualifiers after Senegal’s Lions of Teranga punched a ticket to next year’s finals to take place in Morocco with two games to spare.
Senegal joined Burkina Faso who booked a place at the continental showpiece finals following back-to-back victories over Burundi during the just ended international window.
Both Burkina Faso and Senegal have collected 10 points each from four matches.
Burkina Faso are top of the Group L on goal-difference while Burundi are third with three points. Malawi’s Flames are bottom without a point from the four matches.
However, the Lions of Teranga were made to sweat for their victory as they scored in the 96th minute.
Sadio Mane scored from a free kick after Malawi’s substitute Robert Saizi was adjudged to have fouled the former Liverpool forward outside the 18 yards box.
Mane showed great composure as he beat the Malawi human face before beating goalkeeper William Thole, who was outstanding during the match.
It was heartbreak for the Flames as they thought they had done enough to secure a point in the qualifiers.
Before the goal, both teams created chances but failed to utilise them.
Winger Wisdom Mpinganjira had two opportunities in the first half but his final touch let him down.
Captain John Banda also had an opportunity to put the Flames in front but his effort went wide.
On the hand, Senegal also had chances in the first half but Thole denied them on several occasions.
Flames coach Patrick Mabedi said the loss , he was proud of the players.
” I am proud of the boys . We were disciplined and we played with a good team. We created chances but we lacked composure. We lost but it was sad that we lost the match,” said Mabedi.
The Flames also lost 4-0 to Senegal in Dakar last Friday. They also lost 3-2 to Burundi and 3-1 to Burundi in the qualifiers.
The Flames are remaining with two games against Burundi and Burkina Faso scheduled for next month.
Flames line up: 23.William Thole, 03 Timothy Silwimba, 05.Dennis Chembezi, 07.Nickson Mwase, 04.Mcdonald Lameck, 19.Lanjesi Nkhoma(Aaron 67’), 17.John Banda (C), 13.Patrick Mwaungulu ( Saizi 84’), 14.Wisdom Mpinganjira, 10.Chawanangwa Kaonga ( Mphasi 67’), 12.Lloyd Njaliwa
Substitutes: 16. George Chikooka, 02. Maxwell Paipi, 15.Lawrence Chaziya , 08.Chifundo Mphasi, 06.Lloyd Aaron, 12.Isaac Kaliati, 20.Yamikani Chester, 21.Robert Saizi, 09.Zeliati Nkhoma
