The Flames secured a crucial win in their 2027 Afcon qualification campaign, defeating South Sudan 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. This victory marked the end of their 10-month winless streak, with their last win being a friendly match against Lesotho on November 18 last year. The win also saw the Flames take the lead in Group B, although Egypt's Pharaohs were set to play Angola's Negras Palancas in the group's other match.
The Flames had a strong start to the game, creating several scoring opportunities. However, they were unable to capitalize on these chances, with Democratic Republic of Congo-based attacker Patrick Mwaungulu's effort being denied by the post in the 15th minute. The breakthrough came four minutes later when Mozambique-based forward Babatunde Adepoju scored the opening goal. A cross from Zimbabwe-based right-back McDonald Lameck saw Babatunde's initial effort being kept out by the South Sudan goalkeeper, but he made no mistake from the rebound.
The Flames led 1-0 at half-time, but South Sudan levelled matters just a minute into the second-half through Stephen Lujang. This goal silenced the home fans, but Zimbabwe-based Lloyd Njaliwa restored Malawi's lead in the 65th minute. Lameck's long throw-in saw Njaliwa swinging upfield to head home the winner, sending the home fans into delirium. The Flames' victory was a significant boost to their qualification hopes.
South Sudan coach N'sengi Biembe Seseko expressed disappointment with the defeat, citing two individual mistakes that led to the goals. He acknowledged that his team did not have friendly matches before this fixture, but emphasized that this was no excuse for the loss. Seseko believed that his team performed well, apart from those mistakes, and had wanted to take at least a point from the match.
Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa was pleased with the win, but highlighted areas for improvement. He noted that his team started well in the first 15 minutes but lost tempo after scoring the goal. In the second-half, they relaxed and gave South Sudan too much possession, ultimately conceding a goal that could have been prevented. Pasuwa emphasized the need to work on areas such as lack of concentration and failing to fill spaces ahead of their next fixture against Angola.
The win was a significant morale booster for the Flames, who have been struggling to find form. The team's performance was a testament to their determination and resilience. With this victory, the Flames have taken a crucial step towards qualifying for the 2027 Afcon. Their next match against Angola will be an important test of their skills and strategy.
The Flames' victory has sent shockwaves of excitement throughout Malawi, with fans celebrating the team's much-needed win. The team's performance has raised hopes that they can make a strong challenge for qualification. As the team looks ahead to their next match, they will be eager to build on this momentum and secure further victories in their qualification campaign.
Key points
- The Flames ended their 10-month winless streak with a 2-1 victory over South Sudan.
- The win saw the Flames take the lead in Group B of the 2027 Afcon qualification campaign.
- Flames coach Kallisto Pasuwa highlighted areas for improvement, including lack of concentration and failing to fill spaces.
