Malawi bow out 

Malawi’s journey at the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Mozambique ended yesterday after a 7-3 loss to Morocco at Arena de Virankulo.

Malawi wrapped up the group stage without a win despite putting up a gallant fight in two matches against Morocco and the hosts.

Just like in the opening match  against Mozambique, in which Malawi showed some remarkable fighting spirit in their 4-2 loss, yesterday the team’s performance was not disappointing either.

However the gap between the two teams was just too wide to ignore.

In a match monitored on SuperSport television channel, Malawi were no match for the experienced North Africans.

An early goal from Morocco’s Ibrahim Abagli in the opening minute of the match shattered Malawi’s confidence.

Morocco took advantage of Malawi’s disorganisation and  doubled the lead in the fifth minute through Ismail Ouariry.

 Some poor goalkeeping on the part of Justine Bonongwe saw him conceding a free kick for holding on to the ball for too long and Mohamed Ghailani made it 3-0 from the set-piece in the ninth minute.

The first period ended 3-0.

Malawi pulled one back through captain Sandram Saddi’s diving header.

But continued  poor goalkeeping  saw Morocco restoring the three-goal lead with a powerful shot from Abagli in 18th minute which Bonongwe could not keep out on the near post.

The Moroccans hit again in the 19th minute, punishing Malawi’s disorganisation at the back through AnouarFrindi.

Then Dala Simba headed Malawi’s second goal in the 21st minute as the second period ended 5-2.

The last period was a tightly contested affair.

Malawi reduced the deficit to two goals with a thunderous strike from Saddi’s free kick in the 29th minute to offer some hope for a comeback.

Malawi kept on pressing, forcing Morocco to sit back and defend.

Just when Malawi thought Morocco would continue defending, the North Africans pounced again after they caught Malawi on the break through Mohamed Khabaz in the 32nd minute.

Malawi coach Willy Kumilambe substituted goalkeeper Bonongwe for Eddi Jamu.

But it was too late. Time was not on Malawi’s side.

It was all over for Malawi as the Moroccans scored the seventh goal with just seconds to the final whistle through Abagli again.

Malawi leave the stage as Group A anchors with no point while Morocco qualify for the semi-finals as Group A winners with six points having beaten Mozambique 3-1 on Sunday.

The Mozambicans will also proceed to the semis as the group’s runners up.

Kumilambe said he was not disappointed to be out of the competition.

He said: “It was a tough game. I can’t say I am disappointed with my boys. We tried our best.

“We are going back home with our heads held high. Everybody goes to a tournament to win.We lost two games unfortunately. It was a big stage for us. We knew when we were coming that it would be tough.

“We tried, the boys tried. I think we have learned a lot from this tournament.”

Malawi will now fight for fifth and sixth positions against the teams that will finish third in Group B.