Phiri fires Malawi past Botswana

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Sep 10, 2019. 17:00

Malawi secured a 1-0 win over Botswana in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) first-round second-leg match on Tuesday afternoon.

The victory saw the Flames advance to the second round qualifying after the winning the tie 1-0 on aggregate, while the Zebras bowed out of the qualifiers.

The second-leg encounter was played at the Kamuzu Stadium in the second city of Malawi, Blantyre.

The visitors suffered a blow a few minutes into the match as Azerbaijan-based attacking midfielder Mpho Kgaswane went down injured and he was replaced by Onkabetse Makgantai.

The Flames applied some pressure on the Zebras defence with Orlando Pirates forward Frank Gabadinho Mhango ready to pounce and score.

However, the Botswana defence which was led by Mosha Gaolaolwe stood firm and the score was 0-0 at the interval.

The two teams attacked each other after the restart and the hosts were awarded a penalty inside the final 12 minutes of the match.

Gerald Phiri Junior then stepped up and beat Botswana goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe to make it 1-0 to Malawi much to the delight of the home crowd.

Malawi then contained Botswana in the closing stages of the game and ultimately, the Flames emerged 1-0 winners on the day.