Malawi Under-20 National Football Team’s hope of qualifying for the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon)/Cosafa Qualifier for the first time in 13 years came to an end following a 3-2 defeat to Lesotho at ABB Stadium 2 in Maputo, Mozambique, Tuesday.
The defeat to Lesotho summed up Malawi’s disappointing campaign as they exited the tournament with two defeats and one victory.
This means Malawi finished second in Group C with three points from three matches.
The junior Flames went into the match against Lesotho looking to better Zambia’s goal difference after the Young Chipolopolo defeated Namibia 2-1 in an early kick-off.
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However, Zambia advanced to the semi-finals as best runners-up from the pool stages.
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South Africa’s Amajita booked their place in the semi-finals as Group C leaders after beating Comoros 2-0 at ABB Stadium 1 Tuesday.
Amajita will face Group B winners Angola in the semi-finals whereas Zambia will meet Zimbabwe.
Malawi Under-20 Coach Bob Mpinganjira made four changes to the side that beat Comoros 2-1 on Sunday.
First choice goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi and Edward Thengo missed the game due to suspension whereas Mwisho Mhango and Benson Makawa were dropped.
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Goalkeeper Willard Sande, Ellias Mwaywanga, Madalitso Safuli and Masambiro Kalua started the match.
However, despite making the changes, Malawi produced another comical display as they trailed Lesotho 3-0 at some time.
Lesotho opened the scoring, through Paseka Maile, from the penalty spot four minutes into the match.
But Chewane Ntakha doubled the lead for Lesotho three minutes before the break after Malawi’s defence was caught napping.
Maile completed his brace in the 56th minute.
However, Hermas Mwasinja scored for Malawi in the 62nd minute before Mhango netted the second goal in the 82nd minute—also from the penalty spot.
Despite suffering the two defeats, Mpinganjira said there were some positives that could be drawn from the tournament.
“We played a good game against Lesotho but, unfortunately, we conceded three goals,” Mpinganjira said.
The junior Flames started the tournament with a 5-0 loss to South Africa in their Cosafa opener on Friday but defeated Comoros 2-1 on Sunday.
Malawi have never won the Cosafa U-20 championship since its inception but finished as runners-up in 2003.
The team last qualified for the Afcon U-20 in 1999 in Ethiopia.
