Junior Flames show why the team should be kept intact: Malawi thump Kenya to win 4Nation Tourney

Malawi last hosted a Senior tournament in 1988 when they stages Cecafa Cup, they won the tournament but this time it looks out of their hands following a disappointing 4-0 walloping to Kenya, but the Junior Flames revenged.

The Malawi U-20 National Football Team have sent a message to the Football governing body in Malawi, FAM after recording a huge victory over Kenya to win the four-Nation tournament at the Silver Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The team showed great determination since the start of the tournament last week Wednesday. The character displayed by the youngsters was admirable.

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Bob Mpinganjira’s boys kicked off the tournament with a slender 3-2 win over Zimbabwe but the victory over the Rising Star was meritorious tactically. Playing under pressure towards the end of the game but they cemented the win with the last kick of the game.

“This team has shown that we can rely on. They have played well, we need to keep this team. They were out to score at the time they were being put on pressure,” said Charles Grandmaster Nyirenda on Zodiak Radio.

Scoring two goals in the first half showed how serious the boys were. Kenya tried to block the moves for Malawi through their Captain, Stanley Omondi but he couldn’t do it the whole first half.

Rising Stars coach Antony Akhulia fielded the same strong starting lineup that defeated Zimbabwe in the opener, including Timothy Ouma, Christopher Koloti, Linus Munyao, and Hassan Kitsao.

Malawi counterpart Bob Mpinganjira named an exciting XI that included the youth of Soche Madrid’s Safuli Mdalitso and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserve’s Chifuniro Kamenya in a midfield as well as in the attack.

Flames were a better team from the word go but it took long for them to break the deadlock. Kenya defenders had to sweat to block Emmanuel Saviel, Chifuniro Kamenya from finding the back of the net.

Kamenya and Saviel were too sharp for the visitors. Malawi were calling for the penalty within the first 7 minutes when Kamenya was brought down in the penalty area but Zambian referee, Mathews Hamalila paid blind eye to the incident.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with Emmanuel scoring a brilliant goal when he connected home the ball after the visitors failed to deal with the free-kick.

Just before the break, Malawi extended their lead through Chifuniro Kamenya. Stanley Omondi lost the ball in his own half and Petro won the ball to find Emmanuel Saviel who spotted Chifuniro Kamenya who beat the keeper with a clinical finish.

After going two goals down to the break, Kenya were off to a flying start in the second half and they reduced the arrears when Dalphane Ezekiel beat Amos Sande as he was off his line.

Kenya kept on pulling pressure on Malawi but their hope of a comeback was over when Madalitso Safuli scored a vital goal in the stoppage time.

Saviel shines as he wins the golden boot

Emmanuel Saviel, completed his move to Civil Service United on loan from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, initially omitted from the U-20 Squad called later to join the team. He proved to be a vital player for the team in the tournament.

Saviel won the golden boot as he shared with Zimbabwe’s Daniel Mapunza as both of them scored three goals in two games. Apart from scoring goals, he provided two assists.

The striker who scored 24 goals in the Southern Region Football League before joining Bangwe All Stars on loan last season, scored two goals for the team against Zimbabwe and his goal against Kenya was important.

Football Association of Malawi will need to keep the team as it has shown persistence and determination.