By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi National Football Team caretaker Coach Patrick General Mabedi is upbeat of aiding the Flames into the final of this year’s HollywoodBets Cosafa Cup as they face Lesotho in the semi-final this afternoon at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
Malawi will be hoping to appear in the Cosafa Cup final for the third time since the regional tournament was established in the year 1997.
Flames lost to South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2002 and 2003 finals.
Twenty years down the line,Patrick Mabedi and his charges are having hopes of breaking the jinx with the rejuvenated squad
The Flames had impressive run in the group stages,winning three games in a row.
Malawi defeated the 6 times champions Zambia 1-0 in their group B opening match before clashing Seychelles and Comoros Island with 2-0 margins respectively.
The Malawi National Football team has to treat Lesotho with caution in this afternoon’s game as they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the 2022 edition group stages match.
In addition to that,Flames have never won against Lesotho in almost five meetings,and memories are still fresh to most sports fraternity in the country as the Crocodiles knocked out Flames in 2016 cosafa cup with a 1-0 margin registering their first win over Malawi in 36 years.
The duel also met in 2005 and 2008 Cosafa Cup where Malawi won in both encounters.
If the FIFA ranking is something to go by in today’s meeting, Malawi has an upper hand as they dwell on position 126 while Lesotho occupies position 152.
Former Flames and Kaizer Chiefs star Patrick Mabedi who is the caretaker coach of Malawi is upbeat of writing another chapter while acknowledging it will be a tough match.
“The players are motivated by reaching the semi-finals.There is always time for everything and that time is now.We defeated Zambia which many didn’t give us chance and we can do it again against Lesotho.
“The youngsters are excited to reach the semifinals hence they want to leave a legacy”, Said Mabedi.
Patrick Mabedi is expected to maintain the winning starting line up,as Brighton Munthali who has kept three clean sheets is expected on goals while Alick Lungu, Dennis Chembezi,Nickson Mwase and Captain Stanley Sanudi will be covering him in defense.
Prolific midfielder Chimwemwe Idana, Lloyd Aaron, Patrick Mwaungulu,Zanaco FC Midfielder Chawanangwa Kaonga will operate in the engine-room while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC attacker Lanjesi Nkhoma and Wanderers FC hitman Christopher Jacama Kumwembe will be upfront leading the assault group.
Flames have scored 5 goals in the competition conceding none with Chawanangwa Kaonga, Alick Lungu and Patrick Mwaungulu being awarded the player of the matches accolades.
