Lilongwe, MALAWI — The Malawi men’s national football team, The Flames, launched their 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B qualifying campaign on a higher note, securing a 2-1 victory over South Sudan at the Bingu National Stadium on Friday evening.
Competing in a challenging group alongside continental powerhouses Egypt and Angola, the home triumph provides crucial early momentum for Malawi’s qualification ambitions.
The Flames established dominance early through aggressive wing play.
Following several close chances, highlighted by a venomous Patrick Mwaungulu volley tipped onto the crossbar in the 15th minute, the pressure broke the stalemate in the 19th minute.
Macdonald Lameck whipped a cross to Babatunde Adepoju, whose initial attempt was parried by Maling before the forward swiftly turned in the rebound to put the hosts ahead.
South Sudan responded directly out of the half-time break, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in the home defense, Dhata Joseph found space inside the penalty area in the 46th minute to pull the visitors level.
However, Malawi restored their advantage in the 65th minute through a trademark set piece, as Lameck delivered a long throw-in into the box and midfielder Lloyd Njaliwa rose highest to power home a decisive header.
Strategic second-half introductions of Wisdom Mpinganjira for Chifundo Mphasi for 46 minutes, Francisco Madinga for Mwaungulu at 73 minutes, Ephraim Kondowe for Babatunde Adepoju at 77 minutes, Adiel Kaduya and Yankho Singo for Gaddie Chirwa and Blessings Singini respectively at 86 minutes helped the Flames maintain tactical discipline through the final whistle.
Reflecting on the match, South Sudan head coach Christian N’Sengi-Biembe expressed disappointment over defensive missteps.
“What hurts me the most is that we had those two goals on individual mistakes. I even thought of doing something here, to take a point, but we conceded on two individual errors,” he said.
Looking ahead to their match against Egypt, Biembe stressed that such defensive lapses must be rectified immediately against top-tier opposition.
Meanwhile, Malawi head coach Callisto Pasuwa praised his squad’s determination while identifying critical areas for tactical growth.
He highlighted concerns regarding his team dropping their defensive block too deep after taking the lead, emphasizing the need for mental resilience.
“We gave them too much possession and we were dropping as well, sitting in our defence. Then also, maybe some of the mistakes at times that we do also when we are leading. Carrying a 1-0 lead, we can’t manage it.
“Then we concede some goals which are not supposed to be conceded. So we need to rectify that every time when we are leading, we need to keep the lead in order for us maybe to be winning games. But I think it’s the mentality part of it where we will keep on working with it,” said Pasuwa.
Addressing tactical decisions amid supporter expectations, Pasuwa stood firm: “The coach will have to choose players that he thinks can do the job for him, we knew what we wanted”.
The victory secures three valuable points for Malawi as they prepare for their next Group B assignment away to Angola in a fortnight.
Malawi are currently top of the group following a goalless stale between Egypt and Angola.
Malawi XI: Thole William, Mc Donald Lameck, Charles Petro, Dennis Chembezi, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Blessings Singini, Lloyd Njaliwa, Chifundo Mphasi, Patrick Mwaungulu, Babatunde Adepoju, Gaddie Chirwa.
South Sudan XI: Majak Maling, Atendele Mawa, Rehan Angier, Benjamin Laku, Bangasi Justin, Dhata Joseph, Chan Peter, William Gama, Mario Taban, Paul America, Jamu Akou.