Coach Kalisto Pasuwa finished entire game against Namibia without making any substitutions

* He named a changed starting XI he used in the 0-1 loss to Lesotho in the opening match last Thursday

* It will be all to play for in the final round of fixtures tomorrow when Malawi take on Angola and Lesotho meet Namibia

* We have given ourselves slim hopes, the way we have played today we believe that we can get three points against Angola—assistant coach Mponda

By Duncan Mlanjira

Coach Kalisto Pasuwa named a changed starting XI yesterday in the second group match against Namibia but finished the entire game that ended 0-0 without making any substitutions.

According to FAM Media, Pasuwa replaced Zeliati Nkhoma for Promise Kamwendo as a striker while Blessings Singini, Emmanuel Nyirenda and Gaddie Chirwa were given a nod in place of Wongani Lungu, Maxwell Paipi and Timothy Silwimba.

The other usual First XI for the domestic league squad were goalkeeper George Chikooka, McDonald Lameck, Blessings Mpokera, Wisdom Mpinganjira (C), Yankho Singo, Chikumbutso Salima and Chawanangwa Gumbo.

The unused subs were goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba, Silwimba, Zeliati Nkhoma, Olson Kanjira, Fanizo Mwansambo, Charles Nkhoma, Allen Chihana, Andrew Jovinala, Wongani Lungu and Oscar Petro.

It will be all to play for in the final round of fixtures tomorrow when Malawi take on Angola and Lesotho meet Namibia with the Flames needing to beat the group leaders and defending champions — but their fate also depends on the results from the other Group B game.

And there is a man loose in the Palancas Negras squad in striker Depu, who netted the tournament’s first hat-trick when they beat Lesotho 4-0 yesterday — making him joint top scorer of the all-time scorers list in the COSAFA Cup.

Depu has come in this edition having won the Golden Boot from the five goals he scored when Angola lifted the trophy in the 2024 edition and with four goals this term, he matches the all-time COSAFA Cup record holder, Felix Badenhorst of eSwatini at nine goals.

That’s the man to watch, who definitely will disturb Malawi’s attacking plans the coaching panel has in store for the players as assistant coach, Peter Mponda — who has been speaking on behalf of Kalisto right before departure for South Africa — said the 0-0 result has given them slim hopes.

Despite the result, Mponda said he was impressed with the team’s performance as in the opening match against Lesotho, the team failed to register a shot on target but against Namibia, they forced the keeper to make three crucial saves and with 8 goal attempts.

“Today, we played good football, it’s only the scoreline,” he is quoted as saying by Fam.mw. “We created a number of chances — unfortunately, we don’t take them but the way we played, we showed reaction to the defeat against Lesotho which we complained that we didn’t create.

“We didn’t have numbers in the box [against Lesotho], but today, very much encouraging performance. Like I said, it’s very encouraging performance compared to Lesotho’s game, we need to build from this performance.

“Yes, we have got a slim chance of qualifying for semifinals, we have to win our last game and see what happens with other teams. I’m very encouraged with the way the guys have played, we created chances, good football, very happy.

“We have given ourselves slim hopes, the way we have played today we believe that we can get three points against Angola. Not happy with the result, we wanted to win but we didn’t take the chances,” Mponda said.

Meanwhile, Angola’s Depo is destined for the Golden Boot once more as he leads the top scorers’ chart with 4 goals – three away from Kabelo Dlamini & Ime Okon (South Africa), Ivan Kamberipa (Namibia), Ibrahim Madi (Comoros), Makara Ntaitsane (Lesotho), Toky Rakotondraibe (Madagascar), Antonio Sumbane (Mozambique) and Vidinho (Angola).

From the 10 matches played, there have been just 12 goals scored, with Angola securing the biggest win.

Today’s fixtures involve Madagascar against eSwatini in the three-team Group C (15h00 CAT on SuperSport and on FIFA+). Madagascar opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over guest nation Tanzania, and another three points will give them an unassailable lead in the pool.

Madagascar and eSwatini have met five times before and the island nation are still seeking their first win while eSwatini have claimed three victories and two draws.

Next up is Comoros v Botswana (18h00 CAT). Comoros opened with a win in Group D beating record seven-time winners Zambia 1-0 in their first fixture — and they are in the same boat as the Malagasy, where another three points will see them advance.

Comoros will hope for a first win against Botswana, having a defeat and a draw against them in the past and they are yet to score a goal.—Content by Fam.mw & COSAFA Media