Photo Credit: COSAFA Media
Malawi are perfect through two matches at the 2023 COSAFA Cup following a 2-0 victory for the Flames over Seychelles to close out Group B action on Sunday. Lanjesi Nkhoma opened the scoring early in the second half and Christopher Kumwembe put the result beyond doubt for Malawi. The Flames are in excellent position to qualify for the semifinals, something that is guaranteed if they can draw or defeat Comoros in their final Group B match on Tuesday.
Seychelles were once again heavy underdogs but The Pirates did well to produce an improved defensive performance compared to their opening match defeat against Comoros. Malawi were well in control but could not create any clear opportunities in the first half which ended scoreless.
The urgency increased from The Flames after the break and a goal appeared inevitable when Nkhoma was left wide open to head in from a Chawanangwa Kaonga cross in the 55th minute. Ten minutes later Kumwembe confirmed three points for Malawi when he was left with a simple tap-in after Kaonga’s low shot was spilled right to Kumwembe by Seychelles goalkeeper Jean Paul Lesperance.
The Pirates could only manage a couple of speculative long range attempts and Malawi held on for a routine victory.
Highlights from COSAFA TV are below.
