Wa Ganyu

A consolation goal by Zelliat Nkhoma was not enough to save Malawi from a 3-1 loss away to Burkina Faso in Mali in the Total Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

For anyone who watched the match from the beginning, the result was no contrast. Malawi did not go to compete.

Apart from a few freekicks and corners on either side, the key moment of the match came when goaltender George Chikooka had to produce an early save just after three minutes when Sache Bance caught the Malawi defence sleeping.

The army-led country showed their intent right within the opening five minutes, forcing Malawi’s defence into panic mode. What happened? The Burkinabe’s came on attack. Lawrence Chaziya was not ready for hard work. He saw a ball released from the midfield fly its way into the box and to Shakhtar Donetsk striker Lassina Traore who finished the job easily to give Burkina Faso their lead.

Malawi’s defence seemed disoriented, and the hosts capitalised on this confusion. A crucial moment came when Lloyd Aaron Banega, who had been more focused on back-passes than advancing play, lost possession in midfield. Burkina Faso swiftly moved the ball forward with just two passes, reaching Malawi’s box. Chaziya and his defensive partner, Nickson Mwase, were caught off guard, forcing Mlawi goalkeeper George Chikooka to vacate his line and in the process, give way to Traore to control and fire another shot past him for Burkina Faso’s second goal

The teams went for recess with Burkina Faso enjoying a deserved lead. At the start of the second half, Malawi coach Patrick Mabedi rested Chifundo Mphasi for Kamuzu Barracks Zelliat Nkhoma to revive his attack.

However, the Flames’ woes were compounded by a series of prior misfortunes. The team, already demoralised by the previous day’s loss of their passports on the streets of Ougadogou, struggled to regain their composure. 

Chaziya, in particular, had a challenging match, offering unnecessary gifts to strangers throughout the night. He compounded his first half mistakes by conceding a penalty. In a misjudged attempt to clear the ball, he failed and deliberately handled the ball to earn himself a yellow card. Forward Hassan Bande who plays with Helsinki could make no mistake but to convert the spot-kick and extend Burkina Faso’s lead to 3-0.

Seeing there was a face to save, Mabedi made a few more changes. This time, he brought in Zanaco attacker Robert Saizi and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers midfielder Wisdom Mpinganjira for TP Mazembe attacker Lanjesi Nkhoma and Yamikani Chester, who like many others on the pitch, had a bad evening in the green, black and red.

Lucky for Malawi, in the 80th minute, Burkina Faso found themselves in all manners of shape at the back, failing to defend an attack by the Flames. And Zelliat Nkhoma was the lucky one, picking up the ball on the edge of the six yard box before trying what seemed like a cross, only to see the ball dunk into the net for a consolation.

The loss, coming just four days after a 3-2 home defeat to Burundi leaves Malawi in an awkward situation, bottom of their four-member group, as they dig for luck to return to the continental football contest, the Africa Cup of Nations.

Line-ups: 

Burkina Faso:
Koffi; Kabore, Djiga, Tapsoba, Yago; Boni, Banse, Badolo; Ouattara, Bande, Traore

Malawi:
Chikooka; Sanudi, Mwase, Chembezi, Chirwa; Chester, Idana, Aaron, Nkhoma; Kaonga, Mphasi