The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, edged closer to qualification to the second round of the 2025 African Nations Championship (Chan) qualifiers playoffs following a 0-2 away victory over Comoros at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe Sunday.
Goals from Binwell Katinji and Zebron Kalima were enough to secure victory for the Flames.
The Flames are one foot into the second round and can seal a place with a draw in the return leg this coming Saturday at the same venue.
But they need to exercise caution heading into the second leg.
Playing an away match on home soil, the Flames made use of the presence of home fans.
The Flames started the match on a high and created some chances in the first half.
Wisdom Mpinganjira had a glorious opportunity to put the Flames in the lead in the 24th minute but was denied by Comoros goalkeeper Youssouf Djawadi in a one-on-one situation.
Three minutes later, Ephraim Kondowe had another chance to open the scoring but his effort went straight into the palms of Djawadi.
On the other hand, Comoros captain Abdallah Said Sadad had a good chance for the Islanders, who were using the facility as their home ground due to lack of approved facilities in Comoros.
Katinji broke the deadlock for the Flames in the 44th minute of the match.
Katinji jumped higher and headed into the net a Macdonald Lameck cross.
The goal came after Lameck and Gaddie Chirwa exchanged good passes before the former delivered a cross into the box.
After recess, the Flames continued to pile pressure on Comoros.
Sensing danger, Comoros introduced Soulemana Mohammed and Corin Botomanga for Youssouf Mohammed and Nasser Djanfar in the 60th minute.
Three minutes later, Kalisto Pasuwa responded when he brought to the field Kalima for Kondowe.
The substitution brought stability, especially in the midfield.
Comoros had a chance to level the scores in the 70th minute but Botomanga fired wide from close range after he was given plenty of freedom.
With six minutes to fulltime, Pasuwa introduced Emmanuel Saviel and Timothy Silwimba for Katinji and Chirwa, respectively.
Kalima doubled the Flames’ advantage when he bundled the ball into the top corner of the net to send the crowd into wild celebrations.
It was a beauty. Kalima dribbled past a Comoros defender before firing a powerful shot with his right foot.
The Comoros goalkeeper was beaten and looked dejected.
The Flames have an advantage ahead of the second leg this coming Saturday.
Overall winner between Malawi and Comoros will face either Egypt or South Africa in the second round.
In a post-match interview, Pasuwa said he was pleased with the result.
He was, however, concerned with the fitness of the players.
“The result is a motivation to the team. We are on step one towards building a strong team,” Pasuwa said.
Comoros coach Mickidache said the Flames deserved the win.
“We are down but not yet out but we know that our chances are slim as Malawi is a very good team,” he said.
The Flames have never qualified for the Chan finals since its inception in 2009.
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