Kumwembe misses the spot kick as Malawi finish fourth in Cosafa Cup

Malawi National Football Team have failed to clinch a bronze medal after succumbing to a 5-3 penalty defeat to the hosts, South Africa.

Christopher Kumwembe who came off the bench saw his spot kick rattling the cross-bar as Brighton Munthali again failed to rescue the team on penalties.

After suffering a heart-break defeat to Lesotho on penalties where three players, Stanley Sanudi, Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Macheso missed their spot kicks, Flames hoped to at least get better off South Africa and bring home the first medal since 2003.

Coach Patrick Mabedi made six changes to the Flames first XI with Daniel Chimbalanga, Frank Willard, McDonald Lameck, Lawrence Chaziya, Chrispin Mapemba and Chifundo Mphasi all coming for the first time at the tournament start.

Mabedi rested captain Stanley Sanudi, Lloyd Aaron, Christopher Kumwembe, Nickson Mwase and Alick Lungu who started in all the group matches as well as the semi-final.

South Africa’s Head Coach, Morena Ramoreboli rung changes to his team as he gave the start to Kaizer Chiefs starlet, Puso Dithejane, Siyabonga Gumede among others.

Malawi were off to a flying start and Dennis Chembezi’s flicking header was tipped over by AmaZulu’s goalkeeper, Olwethu Thabiso Mzimela.

On the other end, the hosts nearly grabbed the leader but Brighton Munthali made a crucial save to deny Royal AM’s Shadrack Kobedi from hitting the roof of the net after connecting home a corner kick.

Patrick Mwangulu was denied twice both from free-kicks. He curled the ball targeting the top left corner but the goalkeeper flew to palm it away before making another crucial save.

Frank Willard whistled his long drive over the bar before Munthali again rose to the occasion to rescue Malawi. The sloppy passes at the back gifted Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso John Mabaso who unleashed a hammer shot forcing Munthali to keep it away.

Crispin Mapemba who was making his Flames debut was looking lively in the game. He cut inside from the right towards his strong foot before releasing a thunderous shot that missed the upright with just inches. He later on invited the goalkeeper to make a save after splendidly connecting home Chawangwa’s delivery.

South Africa started the second half slightly better after recording a 29% ball possession in the first half.

Against the run of play, Chimwemwe Idana came near to steal the spotlight. Chawangwa Kaonga dribbled Past South Africa’s defenders before seeing his attempted pass to Kumwembe blocked into the path of Idana whose one-time shot was saved for a corner.

Iqraam Rayner was brought for South Africa and could have broken deadlock after 10 minutes but the Stellenbosch striker directed his effort from close-range to the upright with Munthali already beaten.

Stanley Sanudi who replaced Mapemba earlier delivered In a free-kick but Lawrence Chaziya headed it over the bar.

Neither side could break the deadlock in the remaining period of the second half despite threatening each other.

South Africa looked composed and kept their nerve with all of the players converting their penalties.

Chawangwa Kaonga, Lawrence Chaziya and Lloyd Aaron all converted their penalties but Kumwembe saw his penalty hiiting the bar.

The last meeting between the Malawi and South Africa was in 2019 when the game ended in penalties and the hosts recorded a 3-1 win before another win in a friendly game.

To reach the semifinals, Malawi defeated Zambia, Comoros and Seychelles before suffering a defeat to Lesotho while South Africa were group winners but they were beaten by Zambia in the semi-finals.