"It Is Possible To Redeem Ourselves" - Mponda Reacts As Lesotho Beat Malawi

Timothy Silwimba of Malawi challenged by Paseka Maile of Lesotho during the 2025 HollywoodBets COSAFA Cup match between Malawi and Lesotho at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein on the 05 June 2025 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Malawi’s dream to win the 2025 Cosafa Cup underway in South Africa faced a wave of disappointment following a 1-0 defeat to Lesotho.

After Angola played a one-all draw to Namibia in the same group, their loss sent them to the bottom of group B.

Malawi must so defeat Namibia on Sunday and hope that Lesotho does not win all the points against the reigning champions, Angola.

In each group, only the top finisher from each of the four groups will make it to the semifinals—meaning Malawi should win all remaining games and pray other teams to drop points.

However, Malawi assistant coach Peter Mponda is hoping Malawi can still qualify if they stick to their game plan and win all remaining games.

“We didn’t have enough numbers in the attacking third; I have to congratulate Lesotho for the victory who utilized the only chance they created“.

“We were very slow in transition but in terms of position we were on top. It is painful that we have lost in a game we dominated.

“We have put ourselves in an awkward situation, but it is possible to redeem ourselves. It is possible to win two remaining games and qualify. We have two important matches which if we stick to our game plan we can win those games,” said Mponda.

Malawi’s only accomplishment in COSAFA, despite their 23rd attempt, is their second-place result in 2002 and 2003. They made it to the semi-finals in 2023 but were eliminated by Lesotho and lost to South Africa on penalties, which forced them to finish fourth.