The Flames beat Comoros 0-2 in the first round first leg of the African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifying play-offs at Bingu National stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe on Sunday.
Following the win, the Malawi National football Team has an edge over the islander ahead of the return leg scheduled for this Saturday at the same venue.
The islanders used BNS as their home venue because their national stadium does not meet Confederation of African Football minimum requirements to host an international competitive match.
Striker Binwell Katinji, who earned a late call-up, drew first blood for Malawi just before break when he swung upfield to head home a well-curled cross from his Silver Strikers teammate McDonald Lameck.
Then in the 90th minute, when the turnout thought it would end 0-1, substitute Zebron Kalima, who replaced Ephraim Kondowe, doubled the lead to send the fans into delirium.
It was the first game for Kalisto Pasuwa as permanent coach for the Flames and he couldn’t have asked for anything better,
Overall, it was the third match in charge for the Zimbabwean, who oversaw the last two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifiers against Burundi away which ended goalless and Burkina Faso which Malawi won 3-0 at home.
Pasuwa said he was happy with the win, considering that his charges are coming from off-season.
“They were not fully fit, so to come out victorious ifeels great. This brings confidence in th squad,” he said.
Malawi started brilliantly and could have scored just after three minutes. The move started with Alick Lungu floating in a cross into the box, but the opposition cleared it for a corner -kick.
Comoros defenders Abdoul Anziz Omar, Athoumani Ali and Ali Sougiane Obedillaj had a tough time to contain aggression from Wisdom Mpinganjira and Lungu, who combined well on the right wing.
In the 24th minute , Mpinganjira drew the wrath of the fans when his shot from close range was blocked by Comoros goalkeeper Youssof Djawadi in a one-on-one situation. It was the closest chance of the entire first half
This was the Flames’ fourth win over Comoros in five meetings.
Flames line up: George Chikooka, Lameck, Maxwell Paipi (C), Lloyd Aaron, , Nickson Mwase, Yankho Singo, Gaddie Chirwa (Timothy Silwimba), Katinji (Emmanuel Savieli), Kondowe (Kalima), Mpinganjira.
