Full TimeSouth Africa 2 (Mduduzi Graham Shabalala 46′, Thabang Mahlangu 87′) -2 Malawi (Samson Zakeyu 36′, Steve Banda 66′)

Malawi U-17 National Team gave away a precious 2-1 lead with three minutes to full time to draw 2 all with South Africa in their first match of the restructured Cosafa U-17 tournament currently underway in South Africa.

The Junior Flames scored first through Samson Zakeyu in the 36th minute but the hosts equalised two minutes into the second half through Mduduzi Graham Shabalala.

The two sides kept on seeking for a winning goal as they made some substitutions with Malawi’s Timothy Nyasulu going in for Enock Dumuza .

Steve Banda scored the Junior Flames’ second goal in the 66th Minute and it looked to be the winner until Thabang Mahlangu scored an equaliser 3 minutes before end of the match.

Malawi Coach Deklerk Msakakuona blamed inexperience on his boys for conceding the two goals in very critical moment.

“We made few mistakes and gave away the three points in the final minutes but we have to accept that these are young lads and they are inexperienced. As we look forward to the games against Zambia and Angola, we are going to talk to our boys to be very cautious throughout the game so that we don’t concede goals and we hope that they will play better,” said Msakakuona.

Malawi will face Zambia on Tuesday before meeting Angola on Thursday.

Lineup: Justice Mhone, Innocent Sikwese, Cliff Mbewe, Andrew Lameck, James Chomba, Steve Banda, Samson Zakeyu, Enock Dumuza (Timothy Nyasulu 61′), McDonald Chiwanda, Yankho Chitembeya, Chifundo Mphasi.