Malawi National Football Team, the Flames’ hopes of qualifying for next year’s TotalErnegies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals were dashed Friday following an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Senegal at Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal last night.
The Flames played the better part of the match with 10 men following a red card to goalkeeper Brighton Munthali in the 16th minute for a foul on Sadio Mane.
This is Flames third consecutive defeat in the Afcon qualifiers this year. Again, the loss was Flames’ seventh in eight matches since November last year in all competitions.
The defeat means the Flames are still without a point in the qualifiers and they lie seven points behind Group L leaders Burkina Faso and second-placed Senegal with three matches to wind up the qualifiers.
Malawi will host Senegal at Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Thereafter, the Flames will travel to Burundi before wrapping up the qualifiers against a home fixture against the Stallions of Burkina Faso next month.
Following Munthali’s sending off, Flames coach Patrick Mabedi sacrificed midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu for goalkeeper George Chikooka.
Pope Allassane Gueye opened the floodgates in the 34th minute with a fine finish on the edge of the box after Iliman got rid of the Flames defence.
However, the two teams went for recess with the Lions of Teranga having a slender 1-0 lead.
Mane doubled the lead for the home side after good work from Ismaila Sarr in the 68th minute.
The Lions of Teranga were not done yet as substitute Boulaye Dia scored the third goal for the hosts in the 71st minute.
Nicolas Jackson hammered the last nail on Flames coffin in the 76th minute of the match.
The Chelsea striker eased past Flames defence before planting the ball into the net.
Mabedi introduced Zeliati Nkhoma for Lloyd Njaliwa.
However, it was too late as the Flames suffered their third consecutive defeat in the campaign.
Mabedi made several changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Burkina Faso in Bamako, Mali last month with Munthali replacing Chikooka in goals whereas Silwimba was handed his Flames debut.
Mozambique based duo of captain John Banda and Lloyd Njaliwa and TP Mazembe duo of Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma were in the starting lineup alongside Wisdom Mpinganjira.
Mabedi rested players such as Lloyd Aaron, Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Chester.
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