Coach Young Chimodzi was yesterday unexpectedly taken ill just before the Flames Cosafa Cup plate semi-final against South Africa, but his charges held their nerves and beat Bafana Bafana 5-4 through post-match penalties.
Unlike in the quarterfinal against Mozambique, Malawi played with purpose and managed to keep at bay the South Africans who dominated the opening 15 minutes of the game.
But soon after settling down, the Flames took the game to the South Africans and though they failed to get a goal, deservedly beat the hosts of the Cosafa Cup in post-match penalties.
Goalkeeper McDonald Harawa had a grand game, no wonder in penalty shoot-outs, he was the hero after he saved two penalties to give Malawi victory.
The Flames converted penalties through Limbikani Mzava, Frank Banda, Zicco Nkanda, Lucky Malata and Robin Ngalande.
Micium Mhone saw his weak penalty saved by South Africa goalkeeper.
But his consolation was that he was named man of the match.
“It’s part of the game. I missed the penalty, but our team still progressed to the plate final,” Mhone said.
Assistant coach, Jack Chamangwana said it was a relief that they had managed to qualify for the plate final.
“I feel good. We played well. It was a good game,” he said.
Malawi now face Zambia in the plate final tomorrow.
Zambia defeated Ghana 3-0 win in the other plate semi-final.
-By William Gondwa
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