The Malawi National Football team, the Flames, were extinguished in Cairo, losing 5-0 to Egypt in the 2027 Africa Cup of the Nations (AfCON) group B match on Friday.
The result put Malawi in an awkward situation as they sit in third position with the Pharaohs commanding the group with 7 points from three games.
Angola with four points is second in the group from two matches.
Malawi have only one win in three games while South Sudan has no points and are bottom of the group. Angola will visit South Sudan on Saturday.
The Flames of Malawi began the match last night by pressing Egypt high up the pitch. Playing with Babatunde Adepoju and Richard Mbulu in front, the Flames had hoped that Egypt would not yield results as they missed two chances in three minutes of the opening half.
But they conceded two goals in the 10 opening minutes through Nasser Maher 6′ and Omar Marmoush 10′ before Mohamed Hany scored a third at 38′ and the first half ended with Malawi trying to find rhythm.
In the second half Malawi came a changed side pressing the home team up to 80 minutes but it was so hard to break its defence. Egypt also had chances but four times they were denied by Malawi keeper George Chikooka.
“We missed chances” – Pasuwa.
When everyone thought Egypt would not score in the second half came former Liverpool star Mohammad Salah who headed home an easy ball at 84′ before completing his brace at 90’+5 on a penalty spot.
Malawi coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he did not regret his approach saying the only mistake was that they missed the chances they created hence inviting pressure from the home team.
“We started the match with a high press to surprise Egypt, but we missed a number of chances. When you miss chances, you concede goals. We paid the price for that, but I do not regret playing in this way,” said the Zimbabwe gaffer.
Malawi will face Egypt again on Tuesday next week which Pasuwa hopes to do well.
Egypt coach Ali Maher said during the press conference that their approach was to attack Malawi till they give up.
“Thanks to God and I thank His grace, praise be to God and thank you, O Lord, this is a success from God. My goal is for us to attack fiercely and defend fiercely,” he said.
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