……Malawi 0-0 Ethiopia
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The dreams for the Malawi national football team of qualifying to the continental showpiece finals in Ivory Coast has been shattered following a nil nil draw against Ethiopia in Mozambique on Wednesday.
Malawi needed nothing but maximum points over Walia Ibex but going into the game it seemed the host were the ones who needed to score goals than Patrick Mabedi’s boys.
In the first half Flames created some scoring chances through ZANACO FC international attacker Chawanangwa Kaonga but failed to take them.
The Flames won several set pieces but to the disappointment to the fans following the match on Televisions, radios as the boys failed to use them well.
Malawi missed their star Frank Mhango who scored two spot kicks in their opening game due to injury and so too were the Walia Ibex who played without their attacker Abubeker Nasir who is nursing an injury.
In the second half of the game Malawi’ head coach Patrick Mabedi made several changes in search of the goals,but to the dismay of many fans who followed the proceedings, the gaffer pulled out Chawanangwa Kaonga who was pressing hard,he also took out Richard Mbulu and Yamikani for Gaddie Chirwa,Chifundo Mphasi Chikumbutso Salima.
Chimwemwe Idana paved a way for Moyale Barracks FC Midfielder Lloyd Njaliwa.
The youthful players showed glimpse here and there but lacked experience to stand the heat from well experienced Ethiopia hence the host started dominating and coming wave after wave thanks to the goalkeeper Brighton Munthali who made several saves.
This was the 15th meeting of the two teams,Malawi winning 4 while Ethiopia 3 with other games ending in stalemate.
However the draw on Tuesday means, Egypt and Guinea have qualified from group D with 12 and 9 points respectively with a game to wrap up the qualifiers.
Malawi and Ethiopia are tied on 4 points and both are out of the race even if the Flames defeat Guinea in September at home Bingu National Stadium.
Patrick Mabedi said the players did not stick to the game plan hence the host put them under pressure.
“We didn’t take our game plan and execute it so that was our main problem. I made changes after seeing that Mbulu was struggling with the injury hence bringing in fresh legs.
“Indeed there was no urgency in our players as we sit deep back hence gave space to Ethiopia to play.The young players needs time but they can do better”, said Mabedi.
Malawi has thus far lost to Egypt 6-0 on aggregate after a 2-0 loss away in Egypt, 4-0 at BNS, 1-0 against Guinea in Conakry, won once 2-1 against Ethiopia at home before today’s draw in the campaign.
