The Malawi Under-17 boys football national team yesterday equalised in the 90th minute to salvage a point in their Cosafa Under-17 Boys Championship Group A opener against Mozambique at UJ AW Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Striker Clifford Chisale scored for Malawi in the Council of Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) tournament which are also Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Ivory Coast in 2025.
In a match monitored on Cosafa TV, Malawi endured nervous moments for the better part of the second half after Mozambique drew first blood in the closing stages of the first half through Kille Lino, who capitalised on Malawi’s poor communication at the back.
Malawi could have won the game had they not been wasteful when team captain Hassan Madula’s strike hit the post.
Yesterday, coach Enos Chatama featured goalkeeper Rashid Nikisi while James Msongole, Tadala Mughogho, Joel Maziya and Francis Alfazema played as defenders. Madula, Moffat Mnyontho, Yusuf Namtunga and James Lumbe started in midfield as Gift Chibala and Clifford Chisale played up-front.
The only substitution came in the 68th minute when Chibala was rested for Thole Sachenja.
Malawi face Angola in their second group match tomorrow before concluding their group fixtures against Lesotho on Sunday.
The youth national team finished third in the last two tournaments, but must do better to reach the final as only Cosafa finalists will qualify for the Afcon finals, which Malawi last played in 2009. Malawi Under-17 won the tournament in 2001 as hosts.
