Frank Mojah Dzuwa

Malawi Under-20 head coach Enos Chatama says he was not satisfied with his team’s overall performance despite the Junior Flames beating Botswana 3-0 in their second Group C match of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday at the ABB Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Junior Flames secured the victory through goals from Misheck Billiat, Webster Mzunda and Grant Chibalo, with Chatama saying his side could have scored more after creating several scoring opportunities.

“We created many chances. We could have scored seven goals in the first half, but we never utilised the chances we had. We scored only three, and in the second half a lot of chances were wasted,” said Chatama.

“I am convinced that we have won, but overall I am not happy with the performance of the team. It is not good for a team to play the way we played. We could have won with more goals.”

How the game progressed

Misheck Billiat opened the scoring in the 23rd minute after being set up by Clever Kalambo before Botswana were reduced to 10 men two minutes later when goalkeeper Kabo Moletsi was sent off following a VAR review.

Malawi thought they had doubled their lead through Felix Jalasi in the added time of the first-half, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review over an overhead kick in the build-up.

Webster Mzunda then doubled Malawi’s advantage in the 78th minute. His goal also went through a VAR review before being confirmed.

Grant Chibalo, who came on as a substitute, completed the scoring in the 92nd minute after combining with Billiat to seal a 3-0 victory for the Junior Flames.

Despite the convincing scoreline, Chatama says the team must improve its finishing ahead of the final Group C match against Comoros.

The coach says the Junior Flames will use the final group match to correct the areas where they fell short against Botswana, particularly their failure to make full use of the chances they created.

“We will encourage the boys to utilise the chances we create in the next game,” he added.

The victory keeps Malawi in contention for a place in the semi-finals, with their final group-stage match against Comoros scheduled for 23 September.

Billiat was named Man of the Match after scoring Malawi’s opening goal and providing an assist.

Malawi lost 2-0 in its opening group match against Zambia.