The Flames yesterday spoiled Malawi’s 61st Independence Anniversary when they lost 3-0 to Botswana’s Zebras in post-match penalties at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The match was watched by President Lazarus Chakwera, his Botswana counterpart Duma Boko, foreign dignitaries and thousands of Malawians that thronged the venue as early as in the morning.
After several activities which included traditional dances, military parades and live music performances, it was time for the Flames to face the Zebras in the international friendly match.
Flames head coach Kallisto Pasuwa featured his best squad, including senior players that he left out from the recent Cosafa Cup such as Ekhaya FC defender Alick Lungu and FCB Nyasa Bullets midfielder Lloyd Aaron.
The Flames enjoyed high ball possession in the first-half and could have taken a lead after just 13 minutes, but Bullets midfielder Chawanangwa Gumbo was denied by the post with Botswana goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko beaten.
Gumbo came close to scoring again three minutes later, but his shot was blocked by Botswana defenders inside the box.
But against the run of play, Botswana drew first blood through Thabang Sesinyi just a minute into the second-half’s after a stalemate.
The Flames rallied back, taking the game to Botswana.
Bullets’ Chikumbutso Salima nearly pulled level for Malawi in the 52nd minute, but his glancing header narrowly missed the upright.
A few minutes later, Salima came close again, but he blasted over from inside the box after being fed a good ball from Mighty Wanderers attacker Gaddie Chirwa.
The FCB Nyasa Bullets winger also saw his header straight into Zebras’ Phoko in the 68th minute.
The Flames eventually equalised with just 12 minutes remaining on the clock through from an own goal after goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko punched the ball into his own net instead of clearing it into safety.
Following the stalemate, the winner had to be decided through post-match penalties.
Botswana’s Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ronald Fortune and Gilbert Baruti scored while Thobo Leinanyane hit the post.
Malawi missed three penalties through MacDonald Lameck, Nickson Mwase and Maxwell Paipi.
At the end of it all, it was Botswana who were crowned champions by President Chakwera and his counterpart Boko.
Pasuwa downplayed the missed penalties.
He said: “We are playing very well. We are solid enough, starting from the big going forward.
“But it’s in the last third where we are making mistakes. Then on penalties, they can go either way. That’s how football is all about.”
