Frank Mojah Dzuwa

Malawi Under-23 head coach Bob Mpinganjira says fear and lack of composure contributed to his side’s 1-0 defeat to Eswatini in the first leg of the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.

Sibonelo Vlakati scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute, firing a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area into the roof of the net.

Mpinganjira said some of his players struggled to settle because it was their first game together at Under-23 level.

“This is our first game for Under-23, and most of the boys were conscious and afraid of the game. They did not settle in the game fast,” he said.

The Junior Flames had chances but failed to convert them before Eswatini took advantage in the second half.

“We made it very difficult for ourselves because we didn’t score the chances we got, and we conceded in the second half a goal that could have been avoided. It happens in football; when you don’t score, you get punished,” said Mpinganjira.

Malawi made their first substitutions in the 62nd minute, with Misheck Billiat and Chifundo Makawa replacing Lucky Mkandawire and Levison Mnyenyembe.

Five minutes after conceding, Mpinganjira made another double change, bringing on Lameck Mithi and Lasuli Jali for Blessings Kanowa and James Lumbe.

The coach explained that he did not want to make changes simply for the sake of changing players, saying he first tried to encourage those who were struggling.

“Sometimes we don’t just make changes for the sake of change. We try to encourage them, and that’s why you saw the changes in the second half,” he said.

Mpinganjira remains confident that the tie is not over, with Malawi set to travel to Eswatini for the second leg on October 6.

“All is not lost because there is another game to play in Eswatini,” he said.

First XI for Malawi 

Julius Banda, Mwisho Mhango, Washali Jaziya, Hermes Masinja, Oscar Petro, Blessings Kanowa, James Lumbe, Levison Mnyenyembe, Happy Mphepo (C), Kondwani Tebulo and Lucky Mkandawire