Africa-Press – Malawi. In front of tens of thousands of home fans. Before the eyes of senior government officials including Cabinet ministers. In full view of Malawi’s diplomatic partners.
And in the presence of President Lazarus Chakwera.
The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, blundered their way to a 3-0 loss on penalties against the Zebras of Botswana on a day that was meant to be the ultimate symbol of national pride and progress.
Bingu National Stadium, Malawi’s football Mecca in the capital city, became a symbol of dejection after what had otherwise been a joyful day marking the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time. But it was yet another disappointing result for the Flames, who had recently lost two matches at the 2025 Cosafa Cup in South Africa.
The Flames’ loss Sunday cast a shadow over the celebrations, with the huge crowd leaving the stadium clearly crestfallen.
The penalty shootout summed up Malawi’s poor performance during the match, which was organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
After the 1-1 stalemate in regulation time, the match went straight to the dreaded penalty shootout. But the Flames missed all three spot kicks, taken by Macdonald Lameck, Maxwell Paipi and Nickson Mwase.
Botswana, meanwhile, scored three penalties through Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ronald Fortune and Thobo Leinanyane and missed one.
For winning the match, Botswana returned home with a glittering trophy and gold medals, while the Flames received silver medals.
The Zebras had reason to smile as they secured victory in front of their country’s president, Duma Gideon Boko, who attended the celebrations during his three-day state visit to Malawi.
The Flames wasted numerous chances during regulation time, effectively handing Botswana the win.
Chawanangwa Gumbo struck the goalpost in the fi rst half after good work from Gaddie Chirwa on the right fl ank. In the second half, Chikumbutso Salima missed three chances within five minutes.
Thabang Sesinyi put the Zebras ahead soon after the break with a composed finish, beating goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba.
But the Flames pulled level through an own goal when a Botswana defender deflected a Wisdom Mpinganjira shot into the net with 11 minutes remaining.
After the goal, the Flames pushed hard for a winner, but it never came.
After the match, Flames coach Kalisto Pasuwa said that despite the defeat, there were some positives in the team, which has been under persistent pressure to deliver results.
“It was a game in which we dominated in terms of chances in the first half. We could have been three up, but we failed to put the ball beyond the net and it cost us,” Pasuwa said.
Botswana coach Morena Morebodi praised his players for the win in what he described as a tough game.
He also thanked President Chakwera and Malawi for inviting his team to take part in “this beautiful game of celebration”.
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