The Flames of Malawi thought they put on a strong performance at the 2023 Cosafa Cup, but they will only take home the player of the match and fair play trophies.
The team performed admirably in the group stages, winning all three games, including one against eventual champions Zambia. The Flames scored five goals, kept a clean sheet, and collected all three points in the group stage to qualify for the semifinals for the first time since 2003.
Malawi faced Lesotho in the semifinals where they lost 3-0 in a penalty shootout after regulation time ended 1-1.
Malawi’s only chance was to compete for third place against South Africa, which they also lost 5-3 on penalties after 90 minutes ended goalless.
The Flames finished fourth, which they consider an accomplishment their players named man of the match in all five games they played.
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Their caretaker coach, Patrick Mabedi, described the team’s last game as tactical, as they made seven substitutions, including those who did not play throughout the tournament.
“On areas we need to improve, then it is our finishing. But today we also faced a serious team,” he said.
Malawi will return home with two trophies as a player of the tournament who went to Chawanangwa Kaonga.
