Malawi national football team cruised to the summit of Group B of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after contenders Uganda and Burkina registered a goalless draw in their match on Wednesday.
The Flames are on top with three points, courtesy of a 1-0 win over South Sudan at Kamuzu Stadium on the same day.
Gabadinho Mhango scored the all-important goal in the 68th minute to send Malawians into a midweek party.
Besides topping the group, Malawi, who left for Kampala, Uganda, yesterday, also have the advantage of being the only team to have scored in the group.
Uganda and Burkina Faso have a point each while South Sudan have no point.
Playing away in Ouagadougou, the Cranes finished the game the happier of two with a precious away point ahead of their tie against Malawi.
According to Cafonline, Lassina Traore came closest for Burkina Faso when his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Bevis Mugabi with keeper Dennis Onyango well beaten.
They had another chance with a freekick from good scoring range but Charles Kabore sent the set piece over the bar.
In the second half, Uganda almost snatched the game but Emmanuel Okwi’s thumping header from a Faruku Miya corner rattled the crossbar.
Uganda will be at their Namboole shrine for match day two against the Flames while Burkina Faso will be away to South Sudan in Khartoum.
Football analyst, Enos Chatama, cautioned the Flames against complacency in the away match.
“It will not be easy in Kampala and we must be on the lookout always. Uganda qualified for the last Afcon and they will be fighting to make another appearance,” Chatama said.
