The Malawi National Beach Soccer Team have bagged home a Bronze medal after claiming a slim 5-4 victory over Saudi Arabia in Durban, South Africa.
Willy Kumlambe’s men lost the chance of reaching the finals on Friday after losing 9-6 to Morocco to shift their attention to the third place battle.
It was a contest that swung one way and then the other as Malawi eventually came put on top thanks to goals from their inspirational captain Isaac Kajam (two), Oblen Khumbula (two) and Dala Dala. His brace moved Kajam to nine goals for the tournament.
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Saudi Arabia fought hard and scored their goals through a brace each for Khaled Al Mowallad and Eslam Sarraj, and will go home somewhat satisfied having targeted a place in the semifinals when they arrived in Durban.
It was a frantic start for both teams but Saudi Arabia were the first team to create a big scoring opportunity only for his effort to be palmed away by Eddie Jamu before O’Brien Nkhumbula’s effort missed the target.
Towards the end of the first 12 minutes, Isaac Kajamu scored a beauty after uprooting a hammer shot from distance to put Malawi in front.
Early in the second 12 minutes, O’Brien Nkhumbula extended the lead for Malawi after converting from the spot but Saudi Arabia reduced the arrears moments later when they scored from the spot too.
Isaac Jamu cushioned Malawi’s two-goal lead but it didn’t last long as Saudi Arabia scored from the spot again.
In the last period, Saudi Arabia had a great start and they scored two goals in three minutes but O’Brien Nkhumbula and Dala Simba scored a goal each to ensure that Malawi emerged the victorious.
Head Coach for the team, Willy Kumlambe was delighted with the performance of the team and of course the win saying the players withstood the pressure as Saudi Arabia are also a very good team.
“Am excited because if you watch the game, the odds were against us. We have a very good team and we just need investment. We are good to go.
“It was a very good game but tough. We have learnt a lot of things here. The squad was thin so we were limited. We hope that next time we will work on these shortfalls,” he said.
Kajamu shares a golden boot with Namape Jnr
Malawi’s scintillating attacker, Isaac Kajamu emerged as the overall top scorer of the campaign after plundering 8 goals.
Kajamu’s vital goal against Saudi Arabia was important for the team and also for his historical achievement. He shared the accolade with Mozambique’s Antonio Namape who was also the player of the tournament.
Morocco take gold at COSAFA
Guest nation Morocco have claimed the COSAFA Beach Soccer Championship crown after they edged Mozambique 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 4-4 draw in final played at Durban’s South Beach Arena on Saturday.
Mozambique had been seconds from claiming the win in ordinary time, but a goal from Morocco goalkeeper Yassir Abada to take the game to extra-time and ultimately penalties, where the north African team triumphed.
They had been the top-ranked side coming into the competition, so their victory is no surprise, but they were run close by a superb Mozambique, who could not add to their gold medal won in 2021.
Zouhair Jabbary, Adnan Oubahri and Amine El Kraichly were also on target for Morocco, while Mozambique’s goals were scored by Rachide Simithe, Antonio Namape Jnr and a brace via Angelo Tomas.
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