Flames break 20-year jinx
The Flames’ fairy-tale campaign at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup continues after they stormed into the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years.
Malawi National Football Team yesterday beat Comoros 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa to book a semi-final berth with Likuena of Lesotho.
To put icing on the cake, Malawi did it to perfection by winning all their group matches without conceding.
After starting the campaign on a high by beating defending champions Zambia’s Chipolopolo 1-0 , then seeing off Seychelles 2-0 in the second match, the Flames showed they meant business with a classy performance against the stubborn islanders.
They needed a draw to punch a ticket to the last four, but they opted for perfection and collected full points to finish with a 100 percent record in group stages.
Chawanangwa Kaonga put the Flames in the lead in the 30th minute through a penalty awarded after man-of-the- match Patrick Mwaungulu was tripped in the box.
Five minute later, Mwaungulu made it 2-0 after tapping in a rebound from a Chimwemwe Idana shot which hit the post.
The second half saw Comoros pushing for a goal, but excellent game management by the Flamesput the islanders at bay.
The victory was so sweet that the Flames players could not hold back their tears of joy after the final whistle.
Interim coach Patrick Mabedi hailed his youthful squad for their impressive performance at
the tournament.
He said: “The boys played to instructions. We knew Comoros would be tough.
“We had to plan on how to approach the game. Credit should go to the boys, they gave their all and not many gave them a chance that they could reach this far.”
Comoros coach Abdoul Karim Mohamed Bouhari congratulated the Flames.
“We wish you all the best in the semis,” he said
