Friendly: Victorious Malawi end 16-year winless run over Lesotho

Congolese born-striker Mayele Malango’s first-half strike earned Malawi a 1-0 victory over Lesotho in South Africa on Tuesday, ending a 16-year winless run against Likuena.

The two Southern African opponents had played out to a goalless draw in the first friendly at the same Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Lesotho coach went into the match with injury concerns on attackers Motebang Sera and Keketso Snyders; hence, it was hardly surprising that Teboho Letsema, who was drafted late into the squad, led the frontline.

In the opposite camp, Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa had pressed the panic button over the fitness of his defenders, including Charles Petro and second-choice goalkeeper George Chikooka.

However, Petro made it into the starting line-up to offer his ability to build play from the back, while Lloyd Aaron was the midfield creative hub. Nigerian-born Babatunde Adepoju and Malango got the nod ahead of Gabadinho Mhango and company.

How Malawi fashioned the only goal to beat Lesotho

The benching of Mhango meant that the armband was entrusted to the Romania-based Petro who initiated the move leading to the goal. The centre-back played a long ball forward where Adepoju flicked it wide on the left to Aaron. The midfielder then whipped a low ball across the box for Malango, lurking behind a defender, to stretch his left leg and stab the ball inside the far post low corner in the 25^th minute.

That proved to be the only goal of the opening half. In the second half, Likuena stepped a gear and should have leveled matters but midfielder Tsapang Sefali fired wide following a counterattack in the 68^th minute.

A few minutes later, Likuena pushed forward and carved open the Flames defence, but Petro swept the ball away to safety just as Matlama FC forward Jane Thabantso was about to shoot.

Coach Notsi introduced fresh legs with Tholang Makuri coming in for Letsema minutes after midfielders Tsepang Sefali and Kanalelo Rapuleng had paved the way for Monyaka and  Lebokollane.

On the other bench, Mhango and Lanjesi Nkhoma were also introduced in the last stages of the game for Chikumbutso Salima and Adepoju. The Flames eventually saw off the clock to beat Lesotho for the first time since 2009.

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