Malawi, Cameroon share spoils
Cameroon still leads Group B of the qualifiers after being held to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday by hosts Malawi at the Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial capital Blantyre.
Malawi dominated the game but strikers Gabadinho Mhango and Chiukepo Msowoya were guilty of poor finishing in front of a sizeable crowd.
Msowoya hit the side-netting in injury time after receiving a cross from Mhango who also had his penalty appeals ignored by the referee.
Cameroon played on the counterattack—the biggest chance being wasted by striker Jacques Zoua whose close range shot produced the best from Malawi goalkeeper Charles Swini.
The result—a second draw in three games since Cameroon new coach, Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf took over —coupled with a 2-2 draw between visiting Morocco and bottom-placed hosts Comoros also on Tuesday mean that the group is open.
The Indomitable Lions, host of next year’s tournament, lead with eight points from four games; Atlas Lions of Morocco have seven points whereas the Malawian Flames are on four points.
Malawi will travel to Comoros next month before winding up the group’s assignments by welcoming Morocco next March.
Malawi’s Belgian coach Ronny van Geneugden, whose charges lost 1-0 in Cameroon on Friday, made two changes to the squad, bringing in Levison Maganizo and Msowoya while resting Jabulani Linje and Denis Chembezi respectively.
On the other hand, Seedorf made six changes to the squad that defeated Malawi with scorer in that game PSG’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting missing through injury whereas goalkeeper Onana Andre made way between the sticks for his cousin Fabrice Ondoa.
In a post-match interview, Seedorf said he was happy with the result whereas Malawi’s coach rued the missed chances.
“There are no longer easy matches in international football. It was a difficult match played on a difficult pitch against opponents who were very aggressive,” the Dutchman said.
Van Geneugden felt the result did not reflect the way his side performed.
“It was a very difficult game. We had a very big chance to score but it was not to be. We will keep on working hard with this young squad. I was also happy with the chemistry between the fans and the team,” he said.
