Malawi 1 (0)
Lesotho 1 (3)
The Flames are out of the 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup after going down 3-0 to Lesotho on post-match penalties at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The match ended one-all in regulation time after Chawanangwa Kaonga cancelled Lesotho’s lead in the 23rd minute from the spot.
Lesotho took the lead in the 17th minute through a Jane Thabanso strike, who got on the end of Neo Mokhachane’s cross to beat Brighton Munthali in Malawi goals.
The goal was the first for Malawi to concede at the tournament after clean sheets against Zambia, Seychelles and Comoros.
But it only took six minutes for the Flames to get their equaliser from the spot after Lesotho defender handled in the box.
Just before half time, Lesotho’s Motlomelo Mkwanazi was shown a red card after a second yellow card following a foul on Kaonga.
The second-half saw Malawi trying to utilise the one man advantage, but Kaonga, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Idana were not clinical in front of goal as they missed in inexplicable circumstances.
Lesotho, who packed the bus and operated mostly on counter attacks, also had some fair chances but Munthali was equal to the task, saving Malawi on three occasions.
Towards the end of the match, coach Patrick Mabedi introduced Vincent Nyasulu in place of Munthali in anticipation of post-match penalties.
In post-match penalties, Malawi saw three penalties taken by Stanley Sanudi, Chimwemwe Idana and Patrick Macheso saved by Lesotho goalkeeper Mosoeu Seahlolo.
Likuena converted theirs through Sekhoane Moerane, Thabantso and Sera Motebang.
In post-match interview, Mabedi said his charges relaxed after the red card to Lesotho.
He also lamented poor penalty taking despite practicing them.
He however, applauded the team for performing beyond expectation.
His counterpart Leslie Makhetha Notsi said he was glad to make it to the final for the first time since 2000.
Malawi First XI
Brighton Munthali (GK) (Nyasulu), Stanley Sanudi (C), Denis Chembezi, Lloyd Aaron, Nickson Mwase, Alick Lungu, Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu (Gaddie Chirwa), Lanjesi Nkhoma, Chawanangwa Kaonga (Chifundo Mphasi), Christopher Kumwembe (Patrick Macheso)
