Malawi National Football Team’s penalty nightmare continued Sunday after they lost 5-3 to South Africa on post-match penalties in the third-place playoff at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
The Flames have finished fourth at the 2023 Hollywood Bets Cosafa Cup whereas South Africa won bronze. Zambia emerged champions after beating Lesotho 1-0.
For finishing fourth, the Flames will pocket R100,000 (about K6 million) whereas South Africa got R150,000 (about K8.9 million).
In awards, Flames striker Chawanangwa Kaonga, who won two man-of-the match awards, was named player of the tournament whereas the fair play award went to Malawi.
The Flames were hoping for solace against the hosts after a 3-0 loss to Lesotho on post-match penalties but once again they lost to Bafana Bafana.
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Christopher Kumwembe was the villain when his spot kick smashed the woodwork before Lancaster Rowan Human scored the resultant penalty for Bafana Bafana.
Kaonga, Lawrence Chaziya and Lloyd Aaron converted their spot kicks whereas Tshegafatso Mabasa, Lyle Lakay, Igraam Rayners, Mokele Mogaila and Human scored South Africa’s spot kicks.
In regulation time, both teams created several chances but failed to break the deadlock.
Defender Dennis Chembezi and Chrispine Mapemba had chances but failed to find the back of the net.
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Flames interim coach Patrick Mabedi made six changes to the side that lost to Lesotho on Friday.
Mabedi rested Nixon Mwase, Alick Lungu, Aaron, Kumwembe, Stanley Sanudi and Lanjesi Nkhoma for Chaziya, Dan Chimbalanga, Frank Willard, Chifundo Mphasi, Macdonald Lameck and Mapemba.
In the second half, Mabedi introduced Sanudi, Kumwembe, Lungu and Aaron for Lameck, Mphasi, Mapemba and Willard.
Kaonga was named player-of-match for the second time at the 2023 Cosafa Cup.
Despite the two losses on post-match penalties, the Flames did not lose a match in open play.
In post-match reaction, Mabedi was impressed with the team’s overall performance at the tournament.
“It was tactical a game. But we need to improve on finishing. Penalties are lotteries and congratulations to South Africa,” Mabedi said.
The Flames registered three consecutive wins over Zambia (1-0), Seychelles (2- 0) and Comoros (2-0) in the group stage.
They finished top in Group B with nine points from three matches.
The Flames reached the Cosafa Cup semi-final for the first time in 20 years.
However, the Flames have never won the Cosafa Cup since its introduction in 1997 despite reaching the finals twice in 2002 and 2003.
