Flames coach Young Chimodzi, who could not bear the sight of his side taking post-match penalties that translated to 5-4 loss to Mozambique at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in North West Province, has described Malawi’s Cosafa Cup quarter-final exit as heart-breaking.
Chimodzi left the technical bench and sought refuge in the dressing room seconds after defender Limbikani Mzava, who had put the Flames ahead on the 89th minute from a penalty, equalised on the Mambas’ behalf through an own goal on the dot of full time.
Earlier, Muhamad Sulumba’s 50th minute headed goal from a corner kick, brought temporary relief. Lucky Malata had netted the Mambas opener with an own goal after four minutes.
Reports in the Flames camp indicate that Chimodzi’s blood pressure rose and could not afford to endure the lottery of penalties and he left Jack Chamangwana on the bench. Sulumba and Tizgobele Kumwenda ended up missing the penalties.
Reflecting on the game, a distraught Chimodzi said no matter how hard he tried to tell the players to concentrate, the message could not just sink in.
“It’s hard to explain because just when we were there, lack of concentration cost us the game. We have tried most of the times to tell the players to concentrate. When we scored the second goal, we told them the same,” the soft-spoken mentor said.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) gave Chimodzi and Chamangwana winning the cup as a target in addition to qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Mzava, who scored twice one each for both teams in regulation time then the other in post-match penalties, is at pains to explain how it happened.
“I wanted to skip the ball, but it hit me. We have let the nation down and I apologise. As defenders, we lost concentration when it mattered most. It’s a nightmare and I am short of words to explain the scene. We have let the coaches down and we are sorry,” said Mzava.
