Notsi: Malawi showed that they wanted to win more than us

Malawi secured a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in an international friendly match, with Mayele Malango’s first-half strike proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Malango found the back of the net in the 25th minute after receiving a well-timed pass from Lloyd Aaron, a goal that originated from midfield play and was finished clinically inside Lesotho’s penalty area.

Lesotho’s head coach, Leslie Notsi, was gracious in defeat, congratulating the Malawian team on their victory. “Malawi started very well and clearly showed that they wanted the game more,” Notsi said in his post-match assessment.

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The coach acknowledged the quality of Malawi’s winning goal, explaining that it was “created from midfield and finished inside Likuena’s penalty area,” highlighting the visitors’ inability to contain Malawi’s attacking transitions.

Lesotho’s preparations were significantly disrupted by injuries sustained in their first friendly match. Coach Notsi revealed that his team was without the services of strikers Motebang Sera and Keketso Snyder, both sidelined due to injuries from the previous encounter.

“We missed the services of Motebang Sera and Keketso Snyder, who were both unavailable due to injuries sustained in the first match,” Notsi explained. The absence of both first-choice strikers forced the coach to adapt his tactical approach.

Despite the defeat, there were positive signs for Lesotho. The introduction of Jane Thabants’o during the match provided Likuena with more structure in attack. “He was able to hold the ball in advanced areas and probe the Malawian defence,” Notsi noted.

With his striking options depleted, Notsi employed wing-backs to carry the attacking threat. “In this second friendly match we had to play differently because we had lost two strikers, which is why we used wing-backs to take the game to the opponents,” he said.

The tactical shift appeared to bear fruit as the match progressed. “Towards the end of the game, his team showed character and took the game to their opponents,” with Lesotho pressing for an equalizer in the closing stages.

While disappointed with the result, Coach Notsi emphasized the value of the friendly matches in his team’s development. “The friendly matches came at the right time to give other players, who have not been with the team for long, some valuable minutes,” he said.

The coach remained philosophical about the defeat, focusing on the long-term benefits. “Technically these were not the results we wanted, but with time I believe the team will improve.”

Notsi concluded by praising his players’ resilience: “I am proud of the boys for fighting back.”

The match served as valuable preparation for both nations as they continue to build their squads and test different tactical systems ahead of future competitive fixtures.