It was a perfect start for the youthful Flames yesterday evening at the 2023 Hollywoodbet COSAFA cup as Malawi beat Zambia 1-0 courtesy of an own goal by a Zambian defender Aaron katebe in 16th minute at King Zwelithin stadium in Durban, South Africa.
Interim coach Patrick mabedi deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Brighton munthali as the goalkeeper. Denis Chambezi partnered Nickson Mwase in central defense while Stanley sanudi played at right back and Alick lungu featured at left back. Chimwemwe Idana partnered Lloyd Aaron in midfield while Lanjesi Nkhoma played at right wing and Robert Saizi played at left wing. Chawanagwa kaonga and Christopher Kumwembe played as twin strikers.
Speaking after the win coach Patrick mabedi explained that they dedicated the win to the people of Malawi as they are celebrating Independence Day.
‘’We are going to fight and make sure we make people at home happy. We analyzed Zambia and we saw some things that we could take advantage of, we needed to take the space away from them and when we have the ball to make sure we manage it very well that’s why I think we were successful at the end of the day’’. Explained Mabedi
Yesterday’s victory was the first for Malawi against Zambia since 2015 when the Flames won 1-0 to lift the COSAFA cup plate. The win means that the Flames are second in group B with three points behind Comoros who also have three points after beating Seychelles 3-0 yesterday.
After the match Malawi’s left back Alick lungu was voted as the man of the match.
The Flames next assignment is against Seychelles on Sunday 9th July before playing their last group match against Comoros on Tuesday 11 July at Chatsworth stadium