…to play South Africa for bronze medal
The Junior Flames conceded two goals in the first six minutes to fail to reach the finals of the 2017 Cosafa Cup Youth Championship currently underway in Mauritius.
The Malawi under 17 national football team were beaten by Zambia under 17 national football team in the semifinals of the competition for the second consecutive time in a row.
Before the encounter, the Junior Flames had a clean record in the competition, having scored nine goals without conceding and topped group A but on Friday morning, they met their match as Zambia meant business from the word go.
Dekrerk Msakakuona’s boys were a goal down just after three minutes when Martin Njobvu slotted past Kennedy Nankhaima in goals for Malawi.
Moments later, it was 2-nil.
Defensive relapse from Malawi saw the Young Chipolopolo scoring their second goal through the current top goal scorer in the tournament Lameck Banda.
According to reports, Malawi dominated play all round but were not penetrating the Zambian defense and it was Zambia who were looking more likely to score when going forward.
The Flames through Alex Tsamba, Auspicious Kadzongola and David Daudi were a marvel to watch in the second half but lacked fire power as hit men Chinsisi Maonga and Franklin Titani were missing from the starting eleven.
Chances were created but the Junior Flames failed to put the ball into the back of the net as the Zambians marched on to reach the finals of the cup at the expense of Malawi who were also considered as the tournament’s favorites.
Malawi will play South Africa in the third place play off for the bronze medal.
The South Africans were beaten 2-nil by the host nation Mauritius.
