CHAN Q - Away goal sends Eswatini into next round
Eswatini forced a 1-1 draw against hosts Malawi at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday to progress to the second round of Total CHAN 2020 qualifiers.
Having drawn 0-0 in the first leg two weeks earlier, ESwatini knew that any scoring draw would see them through whereas the Flames of Malawi were desperate for a win.
In the end, Gamedze Sandile’s goal proved adequate whereas Malawi’s equalizer through Micium Mhone proved too little and too late. Eswatini proceed to date Angola in the second round.
With midfielder Alfred Manyozo and striker Patrick Phiri injured, Malawi coach Meke Mwase made some changes to the squad that drew barren in the reverse as Duncan Nyoni earned his debut whereas Chimwemwe Idana, who started from the bench in the first leg, played in the heart of the midfield with Chikoti Chirwa.
With both teams playing an attacking 3-5-2 formation, it was the hosts who started better, as they pumped long balls upfront while aiming for veteran striker Chiukepo Msowoya and Khuda Muyaba, but the visitors’ defence stood firm like Jericho Wall.
Malawi won a free kick after Msowoya was bundled down while trying to turn and shoot but Nyoni sent his free kick over the human wall and beyond the far corner.
Eswatini’s replay was instant. Matse Same’s opportunistic long range effort was surprisingly spilled by Malawi goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe but from resultant corner kick, the hosts dealt with the danger.
The visitors were growing in composure on a sunny afternoon as Matse Same floated a throw into the box but Sandile’s header beat Kahobwe but not the bar before rebounding back into play.
A few minutes later, Ndzinisa Wilson carved Malawi backline open gifting Ndlovu Mfazinile with clear sight of goal but Kakhobwe rolled on the floor to snatch the ball just as the advancing striker was about to pull the trigger.
Both team stepped up a gear in the second half with Mhone twisting and turning on the edge of the box before firing fractionally wide off Swaziland keeper.
Against the run of play, overelaborate Nyoni was disposed of the ball before a long pass through the channels found Sandile who rushed clear before firing into the net in the 53rd minute for the opener.
Mwase reacted by pulling out Simkonda for Mike Mkwate who made an immediate impact, slicing the ball into the path of Mhone who timed his run to perfection before shooting into the net in the 58th minute to draw level.
Mhone was Malawi’s busiest player as he shot from range but Sandanezwe needed a second attempt to gather the ball in the process colliding with Msowoya who eventually paved the way for Mkanda. Malawi pushed for an equalizer but Eswatini played all delaying tactics in the book to wind down the clock.
Malawi Assistant Coach Lovemore Fazili said he was disappointed to bow out of the qualifiers whereas eSwatini mentor Kosta Papic hailed his charges for the result.
“It is painful; it is not a result we expected so we apologise to the nation. We tried but it was not to be,” Fazili said.
Papic said: “Malawi is a little bit disappointed to lose but how they played in Eswatini was completely better than today. I am happy for my players. The most important are the players. Of course, for me I am also going to celebrate the way they do.”