The Flames of Malawi became the second nation to register their place in the quarter final of the DSTV CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup after a 3-0 win over the regional minnows Djibouti in the game played in Bahirdar. Djibouti seemed to hold Malawi at bay for much of the opening 35 minutes through the bravery of keeper Abdulahi Idriss Abdulahi.
Malawi reduced to ten men in the 36th minute when medifielder Schumacher Kuwali received his marching order for blatantly punching a Djibouti player. Minutes after Kuwali’s dismissal Malawi rewarded with a penalty after Djibouti skipper Ahmed Mohammed Kader Daher tipped the ball with his hands inside the area. Gerald Phiri made no mistake to ensure Flames lead from the resultant spot kick.
Flames again hit back through John Banda when he finished off Dalitso Sailesi’s cross from close range. Malawi came out stronger yet again in the second half, even though they were a man down. Djibouti players couldn’t capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Chiukepo Msowoya added the third goal with a header from point blank range to earn Malawi a profoundly deserved victory to dump out Djibouti from the group stage.
Neighboring South Sudan and Sudan played out in the second group game which ended in goalless stalemate. The Bright Futures of South Sudan were in spirited performance to notch a point from Sudan in heavily contested match.
It was the first time that both nations face off in football game after the independence of South Sudan in 2011. The result left South Sudan second and Sudan find themselves in plight to go through to the quarter finals.
