Malawi National Team settled for a point in their second Group B match at the ongoing Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup against Namibia despite a much-spirited performance at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.
Malawi will have to beat the group leaders, Angola, in the last game of group B on Tuesday and see the fate depending on the results from the game between Namibia and Lesotho to qualify for the semifinals.
Coach Kalisto Pasuwa named a changed starting XI with Promise Kamwendo replacing Zeliati Nkhoma as the striker while Blessings Singini, Emmanuel Nyirenda and Gaddie Chirwa were given a nod in place of Wongani Lungu, Maxwell Paipi and Timothy Silwimba.
Malawi escaped early scare from Namibia with Bethuel Muzeu firing over the bar in the first chance of the game. Since then, Malawi grew a thick skin in the game. They went to up record four corner-kicks and two shots on target but couldn’t conjure up the goal.
Malawi had an early chance in the 5th minute when Chikumbutso Salima won a free-kick but his effort struck the wall. The Flames thought they had taken the much-needed lead in the 14th minute When Promise Kamwendo who was played through by Chawanangwa Gumbo but their celebration was cut short as the flag was up for offside.
Chikumbutso Salima combined with Wisdom Mpinganjira before the latter’s cross was cleared away by the defenders of the Namibia in the 29tg minute. Namibia’s goalie, Ndisiro made a heroic save to deny Salima from close-range after pouncing on Mcdonald Lameck’s beautiful delivery from the right flank.
Yankho Singo made a brilliant block to deny Namibia from close-range before Chikooka was called up to make a save by Joslin Kamatuka with a curling effort but it wasn’t enough to beat Chikooka.
Despite Flames’ dominance in the first half, the two teams went for a break while the game hanging in balance.
Malawi re-started from where they left with Singo firing a rocket to invite Ndisiro to make a save. Promise Kamwendo combined with Salima before the latter’s left-footed effort flew over the bar.
Singo was cautioned by the Zambian referee, Hambaba in the 60th minute for a foul.
The Flames kept on pushing for a goal, but Namibia’s pair of tall defenders, Charles Hambira and Ivan Kamberipa, stood firm to thwart all threats.
Blessings Mpokera headed over the bar Salima’s free-kick before Mpinganjira was denied late in the game. There was a penalty check by the Video Assistant Referee in the late stages of the match after Salima went down in the penalty area but the penalty wasn’t awarded to Malawi for the two teams to settle for a pulsating draw.
Despite the result, first Assistant Coach, Peter Mponda was impressed with the performance of the team in the game. Malawi failed to register a shot on target in the opening match against Lesotho but on Sunday, they forced the keeper to make three crucial saves and with 8 goal attempts.
“Today, we played good football, its only the scoreline. We created a number of chances, unfortunately, we don’t take them but the way we played, we showed reaction to the defeat against Lesotho game which we complained that we didn’t create, we didn’t have numbers in the box, but today, very much encouraging performance.
“Like I said that it’s very encouraging performance compared to Lesotho’s game, we need to build from this performance. Yes, we have got a slim chance of qualifying for semifinals, we have to win our last game and see what happens with other teams. I’m very encouraged with the way the guys have played, we created chances, good football, very happy.
“We have given ourselves slim hopes, the way we have played today we believe that we can get three points against Angola. Not happy with the result, we wanted to win but we didn’t take the chances,” said Mponda.
LINE UP
George Chikooka (GK), McDonald Lameck , Blessings Mpokera, blessings singini, Wisdom Mpinganjira (C), Yankho Singo, Gaddie Chirwa, Chikumbutso Salima, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Promise Kamwendo, Chawanangwa Gumbo
UNUSED SUBS
Richard Chimbamba, Timothy Silwimba, Zeliati Nkhoma, Olson kanjira, Fanizo Mwansambo, Charles Nkhoma, Allen Chihana, Andrew Jovinala, Wongani Lungu, Oscar Petro
