Mozambique and Malawi played to a 1-1 draw in a tightly-contested match on the opening day of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifier played at the University of Johannesburg’s AW Muller Stadium, while Angola defeated Lesotho 2-1 at the same venue to go top of the group.
Both Mozambique and Malawi mostly penetrated through the flanks. Additionally, both teams’ defenders played long passes behind the defensive lines to try create scoring opportunities.
However, Malawi have only themselves to blame as they got numerous set-pieces to take the lead in the first half but they could not score. In the 45th minute in the first half, Mozambique took the lead through an unmarked Gift Chibala who scored from inside the goal area.
In search of an equalizer, Malawi players went forward in numbers but struggled to penetrate as Mozambique played deep in their half to protect their lead. Malawi’s substitute Thole Sachenja tried hard with his speed to play in tight spaces so that he could take shots at goal but Mozambique remained resolute although in some instances, they were porous.
In the last seven minute, Malawi’s Hassan Madula hit the post with his low shot. Immediately after, Malawi got a free kick but goalkeeper Carlos Antonio palmed the ball and denied them a goal. However, Malawi equalized in the 90th minute through Bena Quissime who unleashed a thunderous shot to level matters.
