Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, have a chance to win bronze at the 2023 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup when they face hosts South Africa in the third-place match at King Zwelithini Stadium this afternoon.
At stake is R150,000 (about K8.9 million for the third placed team whereas the fourth placed side will get R100,000 (about K6 million).
This is a perfect opportunity for the Flames to bounce back after losing 3-0 to Lesotho on post-match penalties in the semifinals following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time on Friday at the same venue.
On the other hand, South Africa will also be hoping to restore their pride as hosts having lost 2-1 to holders Zambia.
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The two teams last met during the Cosafa Plate semifinal in which the Flames lost 5-4 on post-match penalties.
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Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi will be looking to finish the Cosafa Cup on a high. Mabedi believes that the loss to Lesotho is water under the bridge.
“The boys have performed beyond expectations and I am happy with the performance of the players. We will play to win against South Africa. They are also a good team but we will try our best,” he said.
The Flames caretaker boss will likely make changes to the team that lost to Lesotho but goalkeeper Brighton Munthali is expected to maintain his place alongside captain Stanley Sanudi, Nixon Mwase, Dennis Chembezi.
Alick Lungu might be rested having struggled against Lesotho.
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Patrick Mwaungulu, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Chimwemwe Idana and Christopher Kumwembe will also likely feature in today’s match.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said the Flames have chances of winning bronze. “The boys need to fight for the win.
It will be good for the boys to win something at the tournament considering that they have played well throughout the tournament,” Chinyama said.
Before the semi-final loss, the Flames had a good run in the tournament having won all the three group stage matches.
In the opening match, the Flames beat holders Zambia 1-0 before registering 2-0 wins over Seychelles and Comoros.
Malawi reached the Cosafa Cup semifinals for the first time in 20 years.
Later today, Zambia will face Lesotho in the final at the same venue.
The champions of the 2023 Cosafa Cup will pocket R500,000 whereas the runners-up will get half the amount.
Player of the tournament, best goalkeeper and top goal-scorer will each get R20,000.
