The Junior Flames were trailing 1-0 at half time but substitute Raphael Phiri levelled the scoreline early in the second half before Frank Chizuze’s winning goal to collect maximum points against Madagascar in the on-going Cosafa Under 17 championship in Mauritius.
Despite finishing the match with ten men on the field of play, the Junior Flames started their Group B campaign following a 2-1 hard-fought victory over Madagascar on Friday afternoon.
Madagascar were first to score on 33rd minute through Fabrizio Mosa who capitalized on a defensive relapse before slotting past Hastings Banda in goals for the Junior Flames, 1-0.
Malawi almost pulled level in the same half but forward Chikondi Mbeta wasted a golden opportunity when he received a million dollar pass from Chimango Kalinga and it was 1-nil at half time.
Come second half, it only took Malawi five minutes to pull level through substitute Banda who came in for misfiring Mbeta, 1-0.
The Junior Flames were on fire as they played without fear in search for the winning goals but Madagascar’s defence was too stubborn to unlock considering that Derklerk Msakakuona, opted to use a lone striker upfront.
Malawi kept on pressuring, with Banda coming closer to scoring twice but he was misplacing passes from the right flank.
With the time fast approaching, Msakakuona’s arsenal received a major blow when defender Henry Chiwaya received marching orders following a second bookable offence.
However, despite playing with ten men, Chizuze scored the winning goal with a minute to play on the clock following some brilliant display of football from Banda, Kalinga and Peter Banda.
Madagascar threw everything into the field of play to try to force a draw but the Junior Flames stood firm to collect maximum points in their group B opener before facing Zambia on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, coach Msakakuona hailed his charges for playing with enthuiasism with ten men on the field of play.
