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Flames fall in Dakar

 The Flames last night paid the price for an early red card shown to goalkeeper Brighton Munthali as they went down 4-0 to Senegal in a 2025 Africa Cup of  Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade in Dakar.

Munthali was sent out for an early shower in the 16th minute. He fouled the hosts’ Saudi Arabia -based marksman Sadio Mane in a one-on-one situation, and from then on, Malawi had their backs to the wall against a star-studded side.

Malawi were forced to take off Democratic Republic of Congo-based winger Patrick Mwaungulu to pave the way for substitute goalkeeper George Chikooka.

It is the third straight loss for Malawi in this campaign and they remain rooted to the bottom of Group L, with no point.

With three games to wind up their campaign, Flames’ last night loss virtually sealed their fate, and the remaining matches will be of academic interest.

Flames coach Patrick Mabedi made six changes to the starting line-up against Burkina Faso as Munthali, debutant Timothy Silwimba, Mwaungulu, captain John  ‘CJ’ Banda, Lloyd Njaliwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira were thrown into service.

The Lions of Teranga dominated the first-half in which they had 77 percent ball possession.

They also had 10 corner-kicks against zero for the Flames and to underline their dominance, the Senegalese had nine attempts at goal against only two for Malawi.

But for all their dominance, Senegal led by a single goal at interval, scored by Pape Gueye in the 36th minute.

Both teams rung changes in the second-half, with the Flames introducing Chimwemwe Idana for Chawanangwa Kaonga while the hosts took out Formose Mendy for Diara.

The hosts then turned on the heat to double their lead through Mane in the 68th minute before Boulaye Dia made it 3-0 barely three minutes later.

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson hit the last nail on Flames’ coffin in the 77th minute.

Mabedi largely attributed the loss to the early red card, saying it affected their game plan.

Burkina Faso, who beat Burundi 4-1 on Thursday still top Group L. They are tied on seven points with second-placed Senegal, but are separated by goal difference. Burundi are third with three points.

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