Flames burn hot in Lilongwe

Malawi got back on the winning trail in Group H of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after beating Sao Tome and Principe 3-1 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Thursday, June 6.

Patrick Mabedi’s side bounced back from the 1-0 defeat to Tunisia on November 21 as they moved up to third in the group on six points, one behind Namibia and two ahead of Liberia at the midway point of the qualifying campaign.

The Falcons and True Parrots dropped back to the rear on goal difference despite Equatorial Guinea going down 1-0 to the Eagles of Carthage on Wednesday, June 5.

The Flames made a dream start on home soil when Chawanangwa Kawonga broke the deadlock on six minutes to register his first goal on the international stage and their afternoon got even better as Lanjesi Nkhoma made it 2-0 eight minutes later.

Sao Tome and Principe saw plenty of the ball in the first half, although they created just one chance which required saving from George Chikooka.

The hosts continued to look dangerous in the second half, but Adriano Eusebio’s side managed to halve the deficit with 23 minutes left on the clock as Denilson Silva got the better of Chikooka.

However, Chifundo Mphasi ensured there would be no slip-up in the final stages when he sealed the win with the third goal on 78 minutes to keep the Flames’ qualification hopes alive.

Malawi (2) 3 (Kawonga 6′, Nkhoma 14′, Mphasi 78′)

Sao Tome and Principe (0) 1 (D. Silva 67′)

Malawi: G. Chikooka, S. Sanudi, N. Mwase, D. Chembezi, T. M’balaka, C. Idana (C. Kamanga 87′), L. Aaron, L. Nkhoma (W. Mpinganjira 63′), R. Saizi (P. Mwaungulu 35′), C. Kawonga (H. Kumwenda 87′), C. Mphasi (Z. Nkhoma 87′).

Sao Tome and Principe: P. Mateus, N. Malheiro (M. Vilhete 40′), A. Neves, R. Fernandes (S. Male 65′), A. Ramos (J. Silva 85′), G. d’Almeida, J. Neves (E. Varela 85′), D. Silva, L. Leal, Eba Viegas (Edmílson Viegas 85′), R. Lumungo.