By Mabvuto Kambuwe in Durban, South Africa:
The Malawi Beach Soccer National Team made a statement of intent when it beat hosts South Africa 4-2 in the official opening match of this year’s Cosafa Beach Soccer Championship at South Beach Arena in Durban, South Africa, Sunday.
It was a perfect victory for Malawi, who returned to the competition after a nine-year absence.
However, the win did not come on a silver platter as the hosts matched Malawi in many departments in the first two periods of the match.
Both teams made a slow start to the match but Dala Simba opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a fine finish to become the first Malawian beach soccer player to score at two consecutive tournaments, having also netted the first goal for the team during the 2022 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals in Vilankulo, Mozambique.
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Malawi held on for the slender lead in the opening period of the match.
South Africa came a changed side in the second half and their hard work paid dividends when Phiwokuhle Gumede levelled the scores two minutes after the restart.
Sandram Sadie Usi was unfortunate when his back pass went into his own net following poor communication with the goalkeeper in the 14th minute.
But Malawi captain Isaac Kajamu showed great character to pull the scores level in the 16th minute.
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Kajamu, who was voted player of the match, completed his brace in the 25th minute before Sadie made amends for his earlier own goal to seal the victory for Malawi.
Following the win, Malawi have three points and face Saudi Arabia today at the same venue.
A win in today’s match will seal Malawi’s semi-final slot heading into the final Group A match against Seychelles.
Coach Willy Kumilambe said he was pleased with the performance of the team in the opening match.
He was quick to say they have turned their attention to today’s match.
“Saudi Arabia are a very good team because the majority of the best players play there but we are prepared for the tough battle,” Kumilambe said.
As we went to press, Saudi Arabia were in action against Seychelles.
In the Group B opening match, Angola stunned Tanzania 3-2 at the same venue.
