Malawi advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Cosafa Cup on Tuesday afternoon, following their pragmatic 2-0 win over Comoros at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Goals from Chawanangwa Kaonga and Patrick Mwaungulu saw Malawi record their third straight victory at the showpiece and subsequently saw themselves extend their lead at the top of Group B with nine points.
There was little to separate the two teams during the first 10 minutes of the game, however, Malawi edged Comoros to the ball possession count.
While Comoros attempted to play the ball out of the back with precise build-up play, Malawi pressed high and looked to force the opponents into making mistakes.
Malawi looked threatening as the game progressed and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities toward the midway point of the first-half.
Following their attacking thrust, Malawi were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after Ishmael Mohamed was caught for pace inside his own penalty area as a result of Patrick Mwaungulu’s trickery.
In stepping up to the spot, Chawanangwa Kaonga’s effort sent the keeper the wrong way as he gave his side a deserved lead.
Malawi doubled their lead moments later with Mwaungulu getting his name on the scoresheet in the 36th minute. Assisted by Kaonga, the attacker’s effort ricocheted off the upright in beating the opposition goalkeeper.
AGGRESSIVE DEFENDING FROM THE FLAMES
With wind in their sails, Malawi headed into the break with two goals to the good as a result of Kaonga and Mwaungulu’s strikes.
Malawi continued to look dangerous after the restart and actively searched for the third goal. Playing under the cosh, Comoros found the going tough and battled to get a grip of the ball.
As the hour mark approached, Comoros attacked in stages but were quickly shut down by aggressive defending from the Flames.
Malawi played the ball with confidence as the game progressed, much to the delight of the supporters in the crowd.
In final attempts to get in on the action, Comoros saw more of the ball toward the end of the tie as a result of Malawi sitting back.
As the Flames kicked into game-management, Comoros provided the opposition defence with a couple of troublesome moments.
Nonetheless, Malawi held on to secure yet another victory in 2023 Cosafa Cup.
Malawi: (2) 2 ( Kaonga 30’ Mwaungulu 36’)
Comoros: (0) 0
Malawi: Munthali, Sanudi, Mwase, Chembezi, Mwaungulu (Mphasi 75’), Idana (Singini 89’), Benega Aaron, Nkhoma, Lungu, Kaonga (Willard 75’), Kumwemba (Chirwa 60’)
Comoros:Salimo, Zamir, Abdallah, Soulaimana, Ali Youssouf (Abdou 73’), Ahmed (Soulaimana 88’), Ismael (Bacar 38’), Faidine, Djoudja, Ibrahim, Djambae