Flames burn Warriors of Equator as Nkhoma ends goal drought

Malawi National Team have moved to third place in Group H after a dominant performance against bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe at Bingu National Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

After a disappointing performance in the Four Nation Tournament, Patrick Mabedi was looking forward to bouncing back and taking the Flames back on track capitalizing on Equatorial Guinea’s points forfeiture by FIFA to be just a point behind second-placed Namibia who played a 1-all draw against Liberia on Wednesday.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

The Flames recorded a 3-1 win over the Seleção dos Falcões e Papagaios with goals from Chawangwa Kaonga, Lanjesi Nkhoma, and Chifundo Mphasi while the visitors scored a consolation goal through Denilson Cassandra da Silva in the second half.

Malawi will now prepare for the journey to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to face the National Thunder while Sao Tome will face Liberia at home in their next assignment.

Back on track Malawi with dominant display

After three back-to-back appointments, Malawi were back with ecstasy to the supporters with a domineering performance against Sao Tome and Principe in front of the home crowd. Prior to today’s game, the Flames had scored just one goal in their last three games but leading by 2 goals just inside 20 minutes into the game, saw the supporters engulfed in happiness.

Patrick Mabedi’s side lost two games during the tournament that Malawi hosted and they were haunted by the last-minute gasp by Tunisia at home but Mabedi will have to tell his boys not to be complacent ahead of the trip to Malabo.

In the absence of Gabadinho Mhango who was dropped from the squad due to age and discipline, Chawangwa Kaonga led the attacking team as Mabedi deployed an ordinary 4-4-2 formation.

Robert Saizi who started as a right attacker was hooked off before the recess. Despite sustaining an injury, he was shot at the performance that the coach was expecting from him. Patrick Mwaungulu was introduced.

Kaonga showed his quality and attacking prowess when he put the hosts in front with a gorgeous finish after five minutes into the game. Chimwemwe Idana and Tatenda M’balaka combined to tee up Mphasi who spotted Chawangwa whose effort was blocked but he pounced on the rebound to slot into the net.

Malawi extended the lead minutes later as Lanjesi Nkhoma was quick to react on Chifundo Mphasi’s blocked ball thereby ending his goal drought as he is yet to score a goal this season with his team, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Lloyd Aaron, Chimwemwe Idana orchestrating everything for the Flames in the engine room. The number 8 played Patrick Mwangulu through but the effort of the attacking player flew over the bar, Malawi were hunting for more goals.

The visitors pulled one back in the second half but Chifundo Mphasi restored the two-goal lead to seal the victory for the Flames.

Mphasi cushions Malawi’s lead

The visitors after going 2-0 at the break, came out with their guns blazing as they are still searching for their first win since beating Mauritius 1-0 in 22.

The Portuguese coach, Ricardo Monsanto wanted to add more power in his attacking phase so he introduced Mauro VilheteMidfielder for Hornchurch just before the break.

After a quiet first half, George Chikooka was called to make three big saves in the second half as the visitors were hunting for the goal that would take them back into the game.

After searching for a while, the visitors reduced the arrears as Silva’s one-time effort left Chikooka routed. The goal gave them the energy to pressure the Flames, thanks to Chikooka and his defenders who were good enough to thwart all the attacks.

Mphasi cushioned the lead for Malawi with a team goal. Mwaungulu beat the defender before spotting Mphasi on the far end and the effort of the attacker beat the keeper to give Malawi a 2-goal lead.