With a flaming knife, Gabadinho Mhango helped an otherwise wasteful Malawi National Football Team slice Angola’s young Antelopes to three pieces before roasting them for a 2016 Cosafa Castle Cup opening braii and dinner in Namibia Sunday night.
After this group B contest at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia, the South Africa’s Bidvest Wits-bound striker became the first Malawian player to grab a hat-trick in the history of Southern Africa’s premier football panorama.
It was a sweet result that left Flames coach Ernest Mtawali, uncharacteristically dressed in casual wear, licking his fingers. On head-to-head, the Flames sit second in Group B with three points at par with leaders Lesotho who beat Mauritius 3-0 in an earlier kick-off.
Mhango struck on the 31st minute with a deflected header from Stanley Sanudi’s delivery then doubled the lead through a powerful finish after Rafick Namwela’s mazy charge into the box in the 71st minute before completing the rout on the dot of 90 minute. The Daily Times monitored proceedings on SuperSport channel 9.
Malawi, with Mtawali restoring to the line-up five of his young brigade, knocked the ball around with telling ease as the Angolans, featuring Under-19s, opted for emphasis on defensive shape and discipline.
The 2002 and 2003 finalists, the Flames played a direct attacking football with balls being whipped into the box from left to right but Mhango and Joseph Kamwendo were guilty of wastage in front of goal. Captain Chiukepo Msowoya and Miracle Gabeya also headed against the upright in the opening half.
Angola, who made a mad dash after arriving on the day of the game from Gabon where they lost a 1-0 in an Africa Junior Championship qualifier, were deadly on the break and set-pieces especially through striker Olivier Gomez who had his effort ruled offside by referee Benard Camille from Seychelles.
The Angolans nearly punished wasteful Malawi with a free-kick which goalkeeper Charles Swini spilled on the foot of Olivier Gomez, whose shot the keeper blocked and from another rebound Harry Nyirenda swept the ball off the line in the 29th minute.
However, Mhango calmed the nerves when he scored with a header that was followed by muted celebrations. Half-time break had Malawi leading 1-0.
In the second half, Mhango wasted Gerald Phiri Jnr’s corner-kick by heading wide. By that time, Angola grew in confidence. Mtawali made changes by withdrawing Francis Mlimbika for Yamikani Fodya then Msowoya for Muhamad Sulumba with Phiri taken out for Dalitso Sailesi. The change brought instant results.
Mhango made the difference again after being picked in the channels by Namwela before the striker completed his hat-trick to make him the tournament’s leading scorer as of yesterday.
The Flames face Mauritius tomorrow then Lesotho on Thursday with the overall boss of the group dating South Africa in the quarterfinals on June 17.
Malawi entered Independence Stadium seeking a response after a humiliating 3-0 punishment by Zimbabwe in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
In the end, the win proved a perfect revenge for the Flames who lost 3-1 to the Angolans in the last Cosafa Cup meeting in Zambia three years ago.
Ranked 121 against 107 for Malawi, Angola are the 1999 and 2004 Cosafa Cup champions.
Fixtures
Monday
Swaziland v Seychelles
Madagascar v Zimbabwe
Tuesday
Angola v Lesotho
Mauritius v Malawi (20:15 pm)
Wednesday
Zimbabwe v Seychelles
Swaziland v Madagascar
Thursday
Malawi v Lesotho (17:45 pm)
Angola v Mauritius
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