Munthali chases all-time record
Flames goalkeeper Brighton Munthali’s three consecutive clean sheets have made him equal feats achieved by Flames legends Boniface Maganga and John Dzimbiri’s besides chasing an all-time record of four set by Donnex Gondwe.
The South Africa-bound goal-tender has been outstanding at the 2023 HollywoodBets Cosafa Cup where Malawi has qualified for the semi-finals for the first time in 20 years after winning all their three group matches with clean sheets to collect the maximum nine points.
The Flames beat defending champions Zambia 1-0, Seychelles 2-0 and Comoros 2-0 with Munthali in goals to march into the semi-finals.
The last time a Malawi national football team goalkeeper produced three consecutive clean sheets was 33 years ago, according to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) records.
The statistics show that Maganga registered three consecutive clean sheets in 1979 while Dzimbiri did this twice in 1984 and 1985.
Gondwe, on the other hand, did it three times in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He also holds the record of four consecutive clean sheets registered in 1989.
In an interview, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said: “Of course, Munthali has equalled late Boniface Maganga’s 1979 record, late John Dzimbiri record of 1984 and 1985 and Donnex Gondwe’s who did it three times in 1988, 1989 and 1990.
“But he is yet to break Malawi’s best clean sheets record of 1989 when the team went through five games without conceding a goal.
“Four of those matches were under Donnex Gondwe while one was under Ganizani Masiye.”
This means if Munthali keeps another clean sheet in Malawi’s next game against Lesotho in the semi-finals tomorrow, he will equal Gondwe’s all-time record of four consecutive clean sheets.
In an interview, Munthali downplayed the achievement.
He said: “It’s all about team spirit. I owe this great performance to my teammates because without their support, I don’t think I could have achieved this feat.
“This is an achievement by the team and for the team, not an individual.”
The Flames goalminder is expected to join South African first-tier league side Black Leopards in the forthcoming season on loan.
Former FCB Nyasa Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda, who is now with the Leopards, recommended Blue Eagles goal tender Munthali to the the club’s management following his impressive performance in the TNM Super League.
England-based historian Mario Antoine, who last year authored a book on the history of Malawi football, said Munthali is likely to break the record set by Gondwe
