Flames chalk 1st Afcon win

Nyondo, Banda and Nyondo—sounds like a law firm, doesn’t it? But these were goals as the Flames registered their first win of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations’ Group B qualifiers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes.

Atusaye Nyondo struck a brace—a goal in each half—while substitute Frank Banda scored the other in between, but the Walyas displayed strong character to score a goal in each half, both of them coming in the dying minutes and in the end it was 3-2 in favour of the Flames.

And when Sudanese referee El Fdli Mohamed Hussain blew the final whistle, there was a profound wave of relief that swept through the thousands of home fans who were there, in soul and in spirit, to be witnesses and cheerleaders of their team’s first victory in this campaign.

And for now, the gospel according to coach Young Chimodzi and his captain Joseph Kamwendo, to win all home games, seems to be going according to script.

However, much as these were three welcome points,  there is still room for improvement as they plan for their next assignment next month against the continent’s highest ranked team—Algeria.

The Flames started the game with vigour and hunger, an interlude of spellbinding movement and passing in which the display of Kamwendo, Robin Ngalande, Robert Ng’ambi and Nyondo was a wonder to behold, and it climaxed with fabulous goal.

A well-curled corner kick from Kamwendo in the 15th minute was somehow intercepted in the goal area, only to land on the path of Frank ‘Gabadinho’ Mhango, who in turn clipped it to Nyondo to fire the ball home, sending the stadium into delirium.

But towards the end of the second-half, the Flames lost their rhythm, allowing Ethiopia to play with renewed purpose and in the very last minute, Getaneh Kabedeh, who was thrown in as a substitute, equalised with a low shot outside the 18-yard box that beat ‘keeper Harawa on the near post. In all fairness, it was a goal that exposed goalkeeping frailties, it was very bizarre.

The early stages of the second-half failed to stir the passions until Malawi made a tactical substitution, throwing in Frank Banda for Gabadinho—who by his usual standards, was reduced to his own shadow.

And barely 10 minutes after his introduction, Banda claimed the second in the 65th minute with a bullet header from Kamwendo’s cross. And four minutes later, Nyondo, who was limping after pulling his thigh muscles, scored his second and third for the Flames on the day.

He took the ball well outside the opponents’ box, a deft touch with his right foot—all this done in motion with a defender on his shoulder,—gave him control of the ball and his pace swept him past the defender.

Another touch, this time shifting the angle as he dinked to his right, and a devastating change of pace, somehow managing to maintain his balance, swept him past the next defender and, in a blink of an eye he shot the ball past a helpless Ethiopia ‘keeper Jemill Tasew.

Soon after the goal, job done, Nyondo limped off the pitch and was replaced by Chiukepo Msowoya.

Following the win, the Flames have moved from the bottom to the top with three points from two games.

However, their actual position was to be determined by the result of the other Group B fixture between Algeria and Mali which was played last night.

Flames coach Young Chimodzi said had it not been for excitement on the part of his charges, they could have won the game comfortably.

“When we scored the first goal, we got excited, we were relaxed, we felt as if it was over and done and as a result, we conceded such a silly goal.

“We have won yes, which is a relief considering that we lost the first game, but we could have done better. There are still other areas that we need to work on very seriously although I will not blame any individual player,” said Chimodzi.

Ethiopia’s head coach Mariano Barreto said: “Malawi won because they took their chances.”