The Malawi Under-20 Men’s National Football Team yesterday winged to the semi-finals of the Cosafa Under-20 Championship for the first time in 14 years after a 0-2 victory over hosts Namibia at Dr Have Geingob Stadium in Windhoek.
The enduring moment was when the Malawi players turned the pitch into a scene of celebrations as the host side trudged off in disappointment.
It was a victory well deserved after fighting every inch of the way and in the end.
After a goalless first half, both sides started the second stanza at full throttle and Malawi survived a scare when Lukas Sakeas missed Namibia’s closest chance from close range all alone when his free header went wide in the 56th minute.
beat Namibia players. | Courtesy of Cosafa
Relief was written all over Malawi coach Millias Pofera Jegwe’s face as he charged up and down the touchline, demanding more from his troops, who stepped up the tempo. Then it came.
Lameck Mithi put Malawi in the lead in the 74th minute after Namibia goalkeeper Mcheni Kavendj had advanced in no man’s land.
From then on, Malawi never took their foot off the gas pedal, passing the ball across the sunlit pitch as the Namibians danced to their tune.
But they weren’t done yet. In the third minute of added time, substitute Clifford Chisale doubled Malawi’s lead.It was game over.
In an interview after the match, Jegwe hailed his charges for fighting every inch of the way
“But we aren’t done yet, our target is to reach the final, but for now, it’s time to celebrate,” he said.
Malawi have fished top of Group A tied on seven points with second-placed Angola, who beat Zimbabwe by the same margin.
Meanwhile, the women’s team was booted out after a 6-3 defeat to Zimbabwe at University of Namibia Stadium.
They finished last in Group A with a point, having drawn their first match one-all against the hosts in their opening match before going down 1-0 to Botswana.
Yesterday, Malawi trailed 3-1 at the interval.
Zimbabwe scored through Ntokozo Mpofu, Alicia Chinyoka’s brace, Bridget Mashanda, Plaxina Bandason and Merian Genti.
The three goals for Malawi were from Faluna Umali and Victoria Mkwala’s double.
Malawi head coach Linda Kasenda blamed the loss on failure to convert chances.
She said: “It was a tough match, especially in the first half in which we were failing to mark and pass.
“There was no coordination from midfield and there was lack of effort from the players.”
