The Malawi National Football Team has progressed to the second round of the African Nations Championship playoffs after defeating Comoros 4-0 on aggregate. With a 2-0 win in each leg, they now await their next opponent, which will be either South Africa or Egypt. Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa praised the team’s effort and resilience in the second match. Malawi will next compete in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia.
The Malawi National Football Team has advanced to the second round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) playoffs, securing a commanding 4-0 aggregate victory over Comoros in a two-legged tie at Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe. Malawi achieved a 2-0 win in both matches, with this success paving the way for a potential encounter against either South Africa or Egypt in the next round. The deciding match between South Africa and Egypt is slated for Sunday in Egypt, following a first leg that ended in a one-all draw.
As the match commenced, both teams were eager to establish dominance after a competitive first leg. Coach Kalisto Pasuwa made a minor adjustment, substituting Wongani Lungu for Ephraim Kondowe and altering the formation from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 for enhanced midfield balance. Conversely, Comoros adjusted their lineup with two substitutions, which included the introduction of Ahmed Fadjidou and Corin Botomanga.
In the first half, Malawi showed aggressive play but could not achieve a breakthrough despite controlling possession and winning five corners. Only one shot on target from a free-kick by Wongani Lungu required intervention from Comoros’ goalkeeper, Ahmed Fadjidou. Comoros also struggled to threaten Malawi’s goalkeeper George Chikooka, who secured another clean sheet.
The second half saw Malawi’s intensity pay off as they scored shortly after the restart; Wongani Lungu netted his first goal, taking advantage of a Comoros defensive error. Malawi quickly extended their lead with Binwell Katinji scoring from a precise cross by MacDonald Lameck. Katinji nearly scored again in the 69th minute but was thwarted by an outstanding save from Fadjidou.
In an effort to maintain momentum, Coach Pasuwa utilized substitutes to refresh the squad. Katinji, Banega, and Chirwa were replaced by Salima, Kondowe, and Kalima. In the dying minutes, Kondowe almost added to the score with a header that sailed just wide, while Comoros’ Said Sadad challenged Chikooka with a powerful shot.
Head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa commended his team’s performance, particularly in the second half. He expressed satisfaction with their progression, stating, “Well done to Malawi and all of us for reaching the second round of the playoffs. It wasn’t easy in the first half—we were jittery—but in the second half, we spoke to the players, and we got the goals.” Looking ahead, Malawi will turn their focus to the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Namibia on March 20 at Bingu National Stadium.
The Malawi National Football Team’s progression to the second round of the CHAN playoffs highlights their resilience and strategic adjustments made by Coach Kalisto Pasuwa. With significant victories over Comoros, Malawi now anticipates a challenging match against either South Africa or Egypt. As they shift focus to upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, the team’s solid performances suggest a promising trajectory as they continue to build on their success.
Original Source: malawi24.com
