The Flames have pulled a double on Comoros after winning both the first and second legs of TotalEnergies 2024 African Nations Championship Qualifiers play-offs at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The victory means the Flames have qualified for the second round of the play-offs with a 4-0 aggregate score and will play the winner between South Africa and Egypt who drew 1-1 in the first leg.
On Saturday, it took Malawi 50 minutes to break Comoros resilience.
The goal came through FCB Nyasa Bullets attacker Wongani Lungu, who took advantage of the melee in the box to slot the ball past a helpless Comoros goalkeeper Ahmed Fadjidou.
The goal brought a huge roar of delight from the stands where the fans had been waiting impatiently.
The goal revitalised Flames efforts as they took the game to the visitors.
The pressure paid off and Silver Strikers forward Binwell Katinji added the second in the 58th minute after workhorse Macdonald Lameck laid a good pass.
It has been a week of success for Katinji, who was again on target in the 2-0 first leg victory.
This second goal calmed the home fans nerves and spontaneous singing erupted in the stadium.
Despite the visitors being two goals down, they never threw in the towel and went after the hosts, rattling the crossbar in the 62nd minute.
In overall play, Malawi created more chances and could have easily gone up in the first-half, but poor finishing and lack of composure meant they had to sweat until the 50th minute.
Malawi were unlucky not to get a penalty in the 20th minute after Lungu was fouled in the box.
In the 24th minute Lungu, who had glided into the opposition box, forced a good save from the Comoros keeper.
The hosts again were unlucky not to take the lead six minutes from recess when defender Nixon Mwase was well positioned in the box to connect a Wisdom Mpinganjira corner kick, but the ball went over.
In an interview after the game, Comoros coach Micki Dache described Malawi as a strong side.
“We played a strong team and they didn’t give us space as they played a compact game. Another factor is that Malawi scored a very early in the second-half and that had an effect on the players. But I must thank Malawi for the warm hospitality. We have been here for a week and were treated well,” he said.
Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa praised his players.
“The early minutes the boys were jittery, but gradually they settled and started playing good game.
“At half-time, we managed to talk to them on areas which they needed to improve and we got the goals. Well done to the boys,” he said.
