The Maravi Post

LILONGWE--Malawi national football team coach Kinnah Phiri has hinted that he might give chance to local players in the game against Ghana as he wasn’t impressed with the performance of his professional players in the friendly against Liberia.

Malawi were beaten 1-0 by Liberia in an international friendly on Tuesday.

Kinnah Phiri, surprised the fans when he had in his starting line-up out-of-form Atusaye Nyondo and Peter Wadabwa while leaving on the bench Gabadinho Mhango and Robin Ngalande.

The flames were the better side in the first half as they boasted a lion’s share of ball possession, and they defended tightly. Despite solid defending and plenty of possession, the Flames didn’t have what it takes to crack the Liberian defense.

With less than 10 minutes left in the first half, Malawi made an early substitution by taking out Atusaye Nyondo and bringing in Gabadinho Mhango.

In the second half, the Flames made a double substitution by taking substituting Joseph Kamwendo and Peter Wadabwa with Robert Ng’ambi and Jimmy Zakazaka. However that didn’t change anything as the Flames continued to struggle. The only time Malawi came close to scoring was in the 65th minute when Robert Ng’ambi headed Moses Chavula’s free kick inches wide.

Just after the hour mark, Liberia turned the heat on the Flames who have to thank Simplex Nthala who rescued the team by his two one- on- one saves in quick succession.

Liberia broke the deadlock in 88th minute after some sloppy defending by Malawi.

“We played well today and I am impressed with the performance more especially with the local players. Some professional players, it seems, are not fully fit and that might force me to use more local players in Ghana game,” coach Phiri said.
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