Malawi Tops Group B with 2-0 Win Over Seychelles
Flames top COSAFA Cup Group B with 2-0 win over Seychelles
Durban, South Africa: The Malawi national football team, the Flames, topped Group B of the 2023 COSAFA Cup tournament with a 2-0 victory over Seychelles on Sunday, July 9, 2023, at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa, writes Happy Valirani.
Patrick Mabedi kept the same starting lineup that beat Zambia on Thursday, with Christopher Kumwembe and Chawanangwa Kaonga leading the attack.
Lanjesi Nkhoma, Lloyd Aaron, Chimwemwe Idana, and Robert Saizi played in midfield, while Alick Lungu, Stanley Sanudi, Dennis Chembezi, and Nickson Mwase anchored the defence. Brighton Munthali started in goal.
Malawi looked the more aggressive team from the start, keeping possession and pinning Seychelles back in their own half. The first half ended scoreless, but the Flames came out firing in the second half.
Lanjesi Nkhoma opened the scoring in the 55th minute, heading in a cross from Patrick Mwangulu. The goal gave Malawi a much-needed boost, and they continued to dominate possession.
Christopher Kumwembe doubled the lead in the 65th minute, tapping in a rebound after Seychelles goalkeeper Nelson Sopha fumbled a shot from Nkhoma.
The win gives Malawi six points in Group B, putting them at the top of the table. They will finish their group stage matches on Tuesday, July 11, against Comoros.
Chawanangwa Kaonga of Malawi was named man of the match.
Patrick Mabedi, the Flames' interim coach, was pleased with the result. "I'm very happy that we won the game and collected three points," he said. "Most importantly, in two games, we haven't conceded a goal."
He added that the team struggled in the first half, but they were able to turn things around in the second half.
"We went back and told our boys to stick to our game plan," he said. "We created chances, and we managed to score two goals."
The Flames will now be looking to finish at the top of Group B and advance to the semifinals of the COSAFA Cup.