Flames lost to Zimabwe today 1-3 on penalties.

Saintfiet suffers defeat in first game as Malawi coach.

FLAMES WOES CONTINUES AS THE WARRIORS OF ZIMBABWE MATCHES ON TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF THE COSAFA CASTLE CUP-REPORT: Flames of Malawi are out of the Cosafa Cup after loosing to Zimbabwe 3-1 on post match penalties. Malawi with Simplex Nthara, James Sangala, John Lanjesi, Bongani Kaipa, Moses Chavula, Fischer Kondowe, Josephy Kamwendo, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Douglas Chilambo,Jimmy Zakazaka and Gasten Simkonda,started the match on a very poor note. Our back four gave the Zimbabweans a room to relax,with James Sangala failing to lead the back four,no wonder just after 15 minutes into the match,Zimbabwe took their lead. Malawi was under siege in the whole of the first half,our midfield was nowhere to be seen,our right and left flank was almost dead,Moses Chavula and Bongani Kaipa were playing too deeply as a result, Fischer Kondowe and Douglas Chilambo were not active. Things went from bad to worse on 45th minute when James Sangala was given the Marching orders following a reckless takle on his opponent that left the Zambian referee with no choice but to flash a second yellow card to Sangala. That was all for the half. In the second half, Malawi introduce Bonface Kaulesi,Chimango Kayira and Chiukepo Msowoya for Fischer Kondowe, Jimmy Zakazaka and Young Chimodzi Jnr. The substitutes changed the game in favour of Malawi. With 10 Men on the Field, Malawi settled in very quickly by playing brilliant and entertaining football and scoring a goal was a possibility. With 3 minutes to go, Malawi equalised through Douglas Chilambo,netting his first international goal for Malawi and after 90 Minutes,it was 1-1 and the match had to be decided through penalties. Bongani Kaipa together with John Lanjesi and Gasten Simkonda missed their penalties. Chiukepo Msowoya converted his penalty,the game ended 3-1 in favour of Zimbabwe who are now in the Semi-finals of the cup. For Malawi,it was the same old story,exiting the cup in a painfull way.
Belgian Tom Saintfeit lost his first outing as head coach of Malawi national team but saw plenty of positives Saturday as Flames lost to Zimbabwe in the quarter-final of the Cosafa Cup at Lusaka’s Nkoloma Stadium in Zambia after post-match penalties.

Flames loss to Zimbabwe, who is to blame?
– The red card
– Regular players shunning spot kicks
– Poor preparations
– Poor fielding
– Technical panel
– Goal keeping
– Striking force
– Defence
– Midfield