Flames face Lesotho in historic Cosafa Cup semi-final
The Flames’ quest for glory at the 2023 HollywoodBets Cosafa Cup faces a stern test this afternoon when they come up against in-form Lesotho’s Likuena in the second semi-final at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban, South Africa.
The first semi-final pits two sides that have been outstanding at the tournament.
Likuena were the first to qualify for the semi-finals from Group C after two consecutive victories.
They lost 4-2 to Angola in the last group match in which they featured fringe players and rested most of their stars.
Malawi joined Likuena in the semi-finals after finishing the group stages with a 100 percent record, with a 1-0 win over Zambia before edging out Seychelles 2-0 and Comoros with same score line.
The Flames now target a record fourth win on the spin to reach the final for the third time.
Malawi, who are 126th on the latest Fifa World Rankings, have reached the Cosafa Cup semi-finals on four occasions and have gone on to the final twice.
However, they fell short on both occassions, suffering a 4-1 aggregate defeat against South Africa in 2002 and losing to Mozambique by the same margin a year later.
Likuena, ranked 152 by Fifa, on the other hand, last made it to the final in 2006 and lost to Zimbabwe 6-0 on aggregate.
Despite Malawi being above Lesotho on Fifa rankings, the Flames have struggled against them in recent matches.
The two sides have met 21 times with Malawi registering 12 wins against Lesotho’s won four. Five matches ended in stalemates.
But the Flames have not beaten Lesotho in the last four matches.
During those matches, Lesotho claimed two wins and two draws and memories are still fresh how they stunned Malawi 2-1 in the 2022 Cosafa Cup edition group stage at the same venue.
The last meeting between the two sides was an international friendly match at Bingu National Stadium in February which ended in a one-all stalemate.
While Lesotho coach Veselin Jelusic has maintained that squad, but Malawi has a changed side.
Interim Flameds coach Patrick Mabedi, who has brought a squad of up-and-coming players, said he expects Lesotho not to hold any punches.
He said: “We came here as underdogs. Though people are saying we are favourites, I would say we are still underdogs.
“But after our performance in the group stage, I know every team that we are going to play is going to come hard on us.
“It’s not going to be easy. But like I said, we came here to try to improve ourselves and expose these young players and they have done well to reach the semi-finals. I am confident they will work hard to go all the way.”
Mabedi is expected to name the same squad that delivered in the last match against Comoros.
The Flames back four of Stanley Sanudi, Denis Chembezi, Nickson Mwase and Alick Lungu has provided the best cover for goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, who has three clean sheets.
The midfield combination of Chimwemwe Idana, Llyod Aaron, Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma has also proved lethal.
Upfront, the attacking duo of Christopher Kumwembe and Chawanangwa Kaonga has played a role in all Malawi’s five goals.
Sanudi, who is captain for the side, said the players want to finish what they started on July 6.
He said: “We have come this far and we want to see this through.”
Likuena coach Jelusic is expected to unleash his stars led by Sekhoane Moerane, Jane Thabantso and Thabo Lesoaoana after resting them in the last match. n
