Flames off to a good start

The Flames last evening set out their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification campaign with a 2-1 win over South Sudan at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The victory saw the Malawi National Football Team end its 10-month winless streak as the last time it registered victory was on November 18 last year against Lesotho in a friendly match.

The win also saw the Flames setting the pace in Group B, albeit temporarily as Egypt’s Pharaohs were taking on Angola’s Negras Palancas in the group’s other match

as we went to press.

Malawi would have won by a deluge of goals as they fashioned a number of chances, but could not put them to good use.

The notable chance was when Democratic Republic of Congo-based attacker Patrick Mwaungulu’s effort was denied by the post in the 15th minute to the relief of the visitors.

But four minutes later, the Flames drew first blood through Mozambique-based lanky forward Babatunde Adepoju.

A cross from Zimbabwe-based right-back McDonald Lameck saw Babatunde’s initial effort being kept out by the South Sudan goalkeeper, but he made no mistake from the rebound with a swing of his leg.

Malawi led 1-0 at half-time, but barely a minute into the second-half, South Sudan levelled matters through Stephen Lujang to silence the home fans

But Zimbabwe-based Lloyd Njaliwa restored Malawi’s lead in the 65th minute.

Again Lameck was the architect as his long throw-in saw Njaliwa swinging upfield to head home the winner and send the home fans into delirium.

South Sudan coach N’sengi Biembe Seseko said he was disappointed to start the campaign with a defeat.

“It is a concern to have lost the first game as coach. Of course, we did not have friendly matches before this fixture, but that is no excuse. We conceded the goals because of two individual mistakes. But I think we were not bad, apart from those mistakes. We wanted to take one point here but it didn’t happen,” he said.

Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa was pleased with the win.

“It was a game we started very well in the first 15 minutes but lost the tempo after scoring the goal. In the second-half we relaxed a bit and gave them too much possession.

“Then we conceded a goal which could have been prevented. But I am happy that we have started with a win. We just need to work in the areas that we are weak like lack of concentration and failing to fill spaces, ahead of the next fixture against Anglia,” he said.

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