* The Flames conceded as early as the 3rd minute after well-worked out move that the defence failed to tame
* Angola and Egypt drew 0-0 in opening Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Pamoja 2026 Group B qualifying match in Cairo
* The Pharaohs beat South Sudan 5-0 to take lead of the group
By Duncan Mlanjira
Some good saves from goalkeeper William Thole and some shots that Angola ballooned over the bar, save Malawi Flames from being annihilated as they lose 1-3 to the hosts at Estádio 11 de Novembro this Tuesday night.
Angola now share 4 points with Egypt, whom they drew 0-0 in opening Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) Pamoja 2026 Group B qualifying match in Cairo.
In their Matchday 2, the Pharaohs went on to win 5-0 against South Sudan whom the Flames beat 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium.
Angola, mentored by AfCON winning Senegalese coach, Alou Cisse, took the lead in under three minutes of the match after a well-worked out move that the defence failed to tame.
They kept piling intense pressure by keeping possession and making some breakaways which the Malawi defence was managing to ward off until the 38th minute.
The hosts burst into the box and a cross was sent to which unmarked Mabululu fantastically rose high to meet with a glancing header.
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Then in the 45+2′, the Flames pull one goal back when Angolan defender failed to clear and headed into his own net in what was a clear case of miscommunication with his goalkeeper who could have tamed it.
Going into the second half, coach Kalisto Pasuwa brought out Blessings Singini and Mcdonald Lameck for Malango Mayele and Yankho Singo and suddenly the Flames grew in confidence.
They started keeping control of the possession in the middle of the pack but failed to penetrate a resolute defence.
The Flames could have levelled the scores in the 62nd minute through Babatunde Adepoju, who received an excellent pass from Patrick Mwaungulu but his close range connection hit the post.
Then Angola took back control of the proceedings with excellent ball possession and were rewarded in the 70th through Pinto Domingos with a powerful header.
Pasuwa injected further fresh legs, bring in Richard Mbulu and Francisco Madinga in the 77th for Gaddie Chirwa and Patrick Mwaungulu but that didn’t change their rhythm of play.
The hosts started attacking even more bringing the best out of Sithole coupled with skying the chances they created.
The Flames now go into Matchday 3 & 4 in back-to-back assignments with Egypt in November, starting away in Cairo before the home match.
They will return to action in March 2027 for Matchday 5 against South Sudan and conclude the group campaign with a home match against Angola during Matchday 6 — with both fixtures scheduled between March 22-30, 2027.
Two teams will qualify for the Pamoja 2027 to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
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