By Peter Fote in Windhoek, Namibia
The Malawi Men’s Under-20 National Football Team has set up an African Union Sport Council (Ausc) Region 5 Youth Games final against South Africa after beating Zambia 2-1 at University of Namibia in Windhoek Friday.
Promising attacker Mwisho Mhango yet again underlined his class to inspire the junior Flames to the final after scoring a brace to take his tally to five goals in four games.
Now the junior Flames have a chance to end a 17-year drought when they won the trophy in Potchefstroom, South Africa in 2008 when the games were known as Zone VI Youth Games.
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Mhango showed Malawi’s intent to win the match in the first three minutes, with an individual effort.
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The junior Flames relaxed allowing Zambia to launch attacks.
Eventually, the young Chipolopolo equalised five minutes before halftime when James Sibeene headed in a free-kick.
In the second half, the junior Flames were a changed side and they went in front again with Mhango floating a free kick over the wall beyond the goalkeeper.
Mhango now leads the Golden Boot race, having previously scored twice against Zimbabwe and once against Angola.
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Junior Flames coach Millias Pofera Jegwe hailed the team for winning despite a disjointed display at times.
“I told my boys that a team that scores first has a big chance of winning the game according to the statistics. The boys really tried. I dedicate the win to the suspended players who did not make it today but we will welcome them in the final,” Jegwe said.
Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) Director of Sports and Recreation Development Ivy Chinangwa said they were not surprised with the team’s performance having been under the institution’s long-term athlete development programme.
“The players are a product of the Malawi Youth Games which is administered by Malawi Schools Sports Association on our behalf. We did not overburden the athletes with medal targets beyond their development ability,” Chinangwa said.
