FULL TIME
Mozambique 1(Kille Lino 45+2′) -1 Malawi (Clifford Chisale 90′)
The Malawi U17 National team scored a last minute equalizer to draw one-all against Mozambique in their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations| Cosafa Qualifier opening match at UJ AW Muller Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday afternoon.
Mozambique looked set to walk away with the three points as they lead 1-0 courtesy of a first half added time strike by Kille Lino.
But Clifford Chisale scored in the 90th minute to ensure the spoils were shared.
Malawi have only themselves to blame not to score in the first half as they got numerous set-pieces to take the lead but could not find the back of the net.
The Enos Chatama side only managed one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Malawi were then punished in the first half added time as Mozambique took the lead through an unmarked Gift Chibala who scored from inside the goal area.
The junior Flames came in the second half a changed side in search for an equalizer.
Malawi players went forward in numbers but struggled to penetrate as Mozambique played deep in their half to protect their lead.
The lads created created about four clear chances in the last 20 minutes of the match.
Malawi’s substitute Thole Sachenja tried hard with his speed to play in tight spaces so that he could take shots at goal but Mozambique remained resolute although in some instances, they were porous.
In the last seven minute, Malawi’s Hassan Madula hit the post with his low shot.
Immediately after, Malawi got a free kick but goalkeeper Carlos Antonio palmed the ball and denied them a goal.
However, Malawi equalized in the 90th minute through Bena Quissime who unleashed a thunderous shot to level matters.
Speaking after the match, Chatama said fear to build from the back due to lack of exposure costed the team in the first half.
But he was glad the team played according to half time instructions in the second half and managed to salvage a point.
“It was a tough match being the first game of the tournament but also because it was also the first International match for most of the boys and they were a bit cautious.
“We conceded a poor goal in the dying minutes of the first half, but we picked the momentum and controlled the proceedings in the second half and later equalised. We had a number of chances in the second half, and we should have score at least two more goals and won the game.
“ The boys settled late in the game. In the first half they were afraid of receiving balls in good positions and settled on playing long balls and this didn’t work for us because our colleagues are tall.
“At half time we told them to put the ball on the ground and we piled more pressure on Mozambique and equalised. It’s good that we have savaged a point in the opener and we look forward to getting maximum points in the second match”, said Chatama.
Malawi will play their second group stage match on Friday against Angola who beat Lesotho 2-1 in their earlier match.
LINEUP: Rashid Nikisi, James Msongole, Tadala Mughogho, Joel Maziya, Francis Alfazema, Moffat Munyontho, Hassan Madula, Yusufu Namtunga, James Lumbe, Gift Chibala (Thole Sachenja 68′), Clifford Chisale.
