Botswana’s Zebras lift Malawi Independence Day Cup

The Botswana national team defeated their Malawian counterparts on Sunday afternoon by a 3-1 score in post-match penalties following a 1-1 draw to lift Malawi’s 61st Independence Day Cup in Lilongwe.

Kalisto Pasuwa’s men went onto Bingu National Stadium pitch seeking to atone for a four-game winless run across all competition in front of Malawi President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Botswana counterpart Duma Boko.

In the end, the Flames disappointed, as after coming from behind to force a one-all draw with the Zebras in regulation time, they missed all their three penalties to hand the visitors the Independence Day Cup.

Defenders Maxwell Paipi, McDonald Lameck and Nickson Mwase all missed their spot kicks for the Flames while the Zebras converted two of their three attempts to seal the victory.

During regulation time,  Malawi should have gone ahead after carving Botswana’s defence open but Chawanangwa Gumbo sent his hard-and low effort crashing against the foot of the upright much to the relief of the visitors in the 13th minute.

Botswana’s had to be alert after Malawi launched another attack via the right wing where Gaddie Chirwa’s goal-bound effort was deflected out by Godiraone Omodingane.

A few minutes later, left winger Wisdom Mpinganjira cut inside then sent his curling effort, targeting the far post, off the bar. That was the last slice of the action for the opening half.

Whatever Botswana discussed during pep-talk paid instant results as they scored inside the opening minute of restart with a blistering counterattack that ended with Thabang Sesinyi racing clear from the left to slide the ball past exposed goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba.

The Flames attackers especially Chikumbutso Salima, Chirwa and Mpinganjira kept wasting scoring opportunities due to hurried shooting. It took Botswana’s misfortune of their defender flicking the ball past his own goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko to give the Flames the equaliser in the 78th minute.

After 90 minutes, the two teams could not be separated only for the post-match penalties to go in favour of the Zebras.

Starting line-ups

Malawi: Chimbamba, McDonald Lameck, Alick Lungu, Blessings Mpokera, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Lloyd Aaron, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Blessings Singini, Binwell Katinji, Chikumbutso Salima, Gaddie Chirwa

Botswana: Goitseone Phoko, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Botsile Sokana, Tebogo  Kopelang, Shanganani Ngada, Godiraone Omodingane, Mothosi Khapha, Gilbert Baruti, Sesinyi, Thero Setsile, Thandikon Thero

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