The Maravi Post

MZUZU--The Malawi national football team, the Flames, failed on Wednesday went down 3-2 to Chad’s Sao in the first leg of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Idriss Mahamat Ouya Stadium in the capital N’Djamena.

The Sao, according to a live commentary monitored on Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), were the first to score through Mahamat Labbo’s 38th shot past Flames custodian Simplex Nthala.

Malawi levelled the score through an Atusaye Nyondo penalty strike on 42 minutes, but their celebration was short-lived as the Chadians took the lead again on the dot of half-time through Egypt-based professional Leger Djime who added the third on 53 minutes to make it 3-1.

The introduction of Spain-based youth player Robin Ngalande for Tawonga Chimodzi proved effective as he was instrumental in Malawi’s second goal.

Immediately he stepped onto the pitch to earn his first cap, Ngalande dribbled past Chad’s defence and set Nyondo to score the Flames second vital away goal which will see Malawi very much in contention when they play the Chadians at home in the return match on June 15.

There were reports of ugly scenes after Nyondo scored the second goal for Malawi as the Chadian fans started hurling missiles on the pitch. Nyondo is reported to have been injured after being hit by one of the projectiles and could not continue playing.

While Flames coach Kinnah Phiri expressed disappointment with the result, he was still optimistic about Malawi doing well in the next leg, saying scoring two away goals is not a bad beginning, considering that most Flames regulars were not featured due to injury.
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