The Sunday Mail
Makomborero Mutimukulu in BLANTYRE, Malawi
Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Warriors outstanding debutant goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva thwarts a Malawi attack during yesterday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre
KALLISTO PASUWA hailed his Warriors as patriotic boys who are ready to die for their motherland after watching them pull off a classic smash and grab in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium here yesterday.
Goals from Cuthbert Malajila and Khama Billiat, in either half, ensured that a Zimbabwe outfit that only arrived in Blantyre by road just before midnight on Friday shares top spot in Group L with Swaziland who stunned Guinea 2-1 away.
Malawi, who came into the tie drunk on confidence after a flattering performance at the Cosafa Cup and reading much into the troubles that haunted the Warriors camp, got their goal through John Banda.
It came barely a minute after Malajila had given Zimbabwe a 22nd minute lead. Malajila, who partnered Knowledge Musona upfront, epitomised composure as he neatly controlled a high ball before firing past an exposed McDonald Harawa.
However, the Flames were quick to reply with Banda rifling past Tatenda Mukuruva after some lapse in concentration at the back.
The goal spurred the Flames and the last quarter of an hour became a battle between the hosts and a gallant Mukuruva. The Dynamos rookie , on his national team debut, stood firm and pulled off five top-of-the-shelf saves to ensure that Zimbabwe went into the breather on level terms.
Cameroonian referee Christopher Nde’s halftime whistle came as relief for the Warriors as Malawi were throwing everything , including the kitchen sink, at them. One all at half time. Pasuwa disclosed his halftime team talk. “The first thing I did was to ask if any among the boys was tired,” he said.
“The fact that most of them are on their off season break and the taxing manner in which we travelled made me worry about the guys getting tired and pulling muscles. Everyone said they were ok so I asked them to go out there and fight.”
And fight they did.
Musona’s shot was blocked on 47 minutes while Danny Phiri went just over with a dipping effort just before the hour mark. Malawi were looking lost as the match wore on with the home fans demanding the introduction of Caps United midfielder Gerald Phiri. Micium Mhone, who was unplayable in the first half, vanished as Phiri and skipper Willard Katsande snapped at everything in the middle of the park while Flames captain Joseph Kamwendo never got going. Pasuwa had asked Musona of an hour of graft but the Belgium-based striker gave his gaffer 67 minutes of hard running before making way for Marvelous Nakamba.
Malajila hit the cross bar on 78 minutes while at the other end Mukuruva twice denied Atusaye Nyondo. Then came a brilliant Billiat moment on 82 minutes. The ball broke onto the left channel and the Mamelodi Sundowns man outpaced his maker before beating Harawa with a sweet curling effort. Zimbabwe 2-1 to the good. The home fans suddenly started shouting Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe as Pasuwa and his men saw off the remainder of the game.
“These boys are heroes and they are ready to die for Zimbabwe,” said the Warriors coach after the match. Malawi coach Young Chimodzi had to scurry for cover as his angry countrymen bayed for his blood. He was man enough to concede defeat.
“Zimbabwe were the better team. We tried our best and I made the substitutions I believed would change the game but unfortunately it wasn’t the case,” he said.
Teams
Malawi: M Harawa, F Mlimbika, J Lanjesi (L Malata 70 mins), H Nyirenda
(G Phiri 90 mins), M Mhone, Z Mkanda (E Kanyenda 69 mins), J Kamwendo, C Kayira, L Mzava, J Banda, A Nyondo
Zimbabwe: T Mukuruva, B Moyo, P Jaure, J Jangano, R Pfumbidzayi, W Katsande, D Phiri, K Mahachi (E Chipeta 87 mins), K Billiat, C Malajila, M Musona (M Nakamba 67 mins)
