Rachael Kaphaizi
On Tuesday afternoon, Malawi said goodbye to 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers after going down to Africa giants Senegal 1-0.
Yes, all goals conceded are painful, but when a goal is conceded with just a minute to go, it is more painful, people can even collapse with high blood pressure.
So, it was heart-breaking to Malawians, when they had hoped of recording a first point of the tournament since it started in June this year, but former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane had another mind.
He punished Malawians from a free kick near the edge of the penalty box after midfielder Gomez Saizi pulled him; four added minutes had already gone with two minutes remaining.
Goalkeeper William Thole had organized a human wall of eight players; Nickson Mwase, Denis Chembezi, CJ John Banda, Lloyd Aaron, Lloyd Njaliwa, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Chifundo Mphasi and Saizi.
The moment came for Mane, he stepped two yards back, he saw a space between Banda and Mphasi, drives a powerful one over them which went straight to the left bottom corner.
Cholopi could not move even an inch, Banda and Mphasi had their hands on the head reacting in disbelief. Coach Patrick Mabedi who stood on the touchline hoping for his boys to defend it, moved quickly to the bench, looking disappointed.
Mane and the entire team celebrated the goal at the bench while dancing that they have qualified for the Afcon 2025 with two more games to play.
It was game over for Malawi, there is nothing we can do than questioning coach Mabedi for the messily we have endured.
Malawi has no point in four games. It has been a defeat at home and away, there is nowhere to hide.
The Flames started with a 3-2 defeat against Burundi at Bingu when Malawians had hoped for a win.
Mabedi had promised that a second game Malawi will not struggle but it was a dream as they suffered 3-1 away to Burkina Faso before another 4-0 demolish to Senegal away. Yesterday also ended in tears.
This means Malawi has conceded 11 goals in four games and only managed to score three.
After the match yesterday, Malawian supporters were not satisfied with the officiation and started to throw bottles onto the pitch. Security personnel showed up to restore peace.
Speaking after a 1-0 defeat, Mabedi expressed his satisfaction with the boys but still points at the officiation.
“I thought we were playing with eleven, eleven, but we saw referee was also the part of supporters of the other opponents,” Mabedi stated.
“We lost but we are proud because performance wise, it’s sad that we lost because the game to me, my opinion it deserve maybe to end 0-0 because we couldn’t give them chances. But overall I’m just proud of my boys,” Mabedi added.
Burkina Faso is leading our group with 10 points seconded by Senegal same number of points. Burundi is third with 3 points while Malawi comes bottom without a point.
Line up
Malawi:
Thole, Silwimba, Lameck, Chembezi, Mwase, Kaonga, Njaliwa, Mwaungulu, Mpinganjira, Banda (c) and L. Nkhoma.
Senegal:
Dieng, Koulibaly, Niakhate, Diouf, Mendy, Gueye, Diarra, Mane, Dia, Jackson, Sarr.
