Frank Mojah Dzuwa

Malawi National Football team’s assistant coach Peter Mponda is impressed with the performance of his charges despite his side’s failure to score in two games at the on-going 2025 COSAFA Hollywoodbets Cup in South Africa.

The Flames lost 1-0 to Lesotho in the opening match before a goalless draw against Namibia in the second group B match.

Malawi remains bottom with just a point with Angola topping the group with 4 points with Lesotho following with 3 points and Namibia is third with 2 points.

With one game left to play in the group stage, Malawi will need to beat Angola with five goals in their final match while praying that Lesotho should draw Namibia in their final group match.

Only the top finisher from each of the four groups will make it to the semifinals.

“I am really encouraged with the performance of my boys, we played good football, creating scoring chances just that we failed to utilize them. We need to build from this performance and win the last match and see how the other games go,” said Mponda.

Ahead of this year’s tournament, Mponda was convinced that Malawi would do well and perhaps win the cup for the first time in Malawi’s history.

“We are going there to win and bring the cup home. It’s very unfortunate that we have been participating and not competing, this time we are sure we will compete and win the trophy,” said Mponda.

In 2023 Malawi qualified for semifinals under Coach Patrick Mabedi for the first time in 20 years. The only achievement for Malawi at the Cosafa was to reach the final twice in 2002 and 2003.

Group B Standings after two games

Angola 4 points scoring five goals

Lesotho 3 points scoring one goal

Namibia 2 points scoring two goals

Malawi 1 point failing to score a goal 

Malawi lineup 

George Chikooka, McDonald Lameck, Blessings Mpokera, Blessings Singini, Wisdom Mpinganjira (C), Yankho Singo, Gaddie Chirwa, Chikumbutso Salima, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Promise Kamwendo and Chawanangwa Gumbo.