Unlucky Malata sorry for gaffe
The Flames captain Lucky Malata has apologised to the nation for Malawi’s lacklustre performance in the Cosafa Cup quarterfinal against Mozambique which was capped by his 10th minute own-goal.
The Silver Strikers skipper said the nation deserved better than what the players dished out on Monday losing to Mozambique 5-4 on post-match penalties.
“We didn’t coordinate well in defence and our game plan was spoiled in the 10th minute after my blunder,” Malata said.
After Malata’s own goal, Malawi fought back and managed to grab an equaliser through Muhammad Sulumba who headed in a Gerald Phiri Jnr corner kick.
Malawi then went on to take the lead through a Limbikani Mzava penalty after John Banda was fouled in the box.
However, Malawi’s world crumbled when Mzava connected a cross into his own net in added time.
Malawi eventually lost 5-4 on post-match penalties.
“We came back into the game after Sulumba’s goal,” Malata said.
“We attacked well and got that second goal through the penalty.”
“But we then lost concentration and ended up conceding that goal and things went bad in penalty shoot-outs.”
In penalty shoot-outs Malawi converted through Malata, Mzava, Frank Banda, Fischer Kondowe, and missed through Yamikani Fodya, Sulumba and Tizgobere Kumwenda.
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