By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi now lead Group B of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers when they beat South Sudan 1-0 on Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium after the other group members Uganda and Burkina Faso drew 0-0 at the Stade Du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou.
Man of the moment, Gaba
The Flames scored through a second half strike from Gabadinho Mhango that energized them ahead of their next away game to Uganda on Sunday, November 17.
Reports quote Uganda Cranes coach Johnathan McKinstry as saying: “We had the fight and desire [but] it is one point [we have earned].
“We need to maintain doing this to earn on the road [and] we are now going back home and look forward to that home game against Malawi at Namboole Stadium.
“We call upon the fans to come and fill up the stadium,” he is quoted as saying.
Uganda in Ouagadougou
The report says both teams were wary not to concede as they had disciplined defending and collective teamwork throughout the game.
Uganda’s Johnson Benson Ochaya was forced to clear off the line with skipper Denis Onyango already beaten in one of the early scares from the hosts.
“Onyango was alert to command the backline at all times as he made several saves.
Burkina Faso
“Abdul Lumala pace on the right wing, Farouk Miya and Emmanuel Arnold Okwi’s direct approach bothered the opposition.
“Uganda Cranes had a glorious opportunity to take the lead but Okwi headed onto the crossbar a curling corner kick by Miya in the second half,” says the report.
Flames coach Meke Mwase handed Lucky Malata his first start to the senior team in more than five years as he replaced injured Charles Petro in the lacklustre performance from the hosts, who struggled to settle down against the visitors who had a height advantage.
Gerald Phiri Jnr. in action
Gabadinho is enjoying a rich vein of form as just last week he scored a marvelous goal for his South African side Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs.
And against South Sudan, Gaba also had a good game as he kept troubling the visitors and he could have put the Flames ahead but his goal bound shot was well blocked by Peter Maker Manyang.
South Sudan nearly scored in second half when Nyuar saw his effort hitting the upright.
In the 68th minute, Gaba’s individual brilliance saw him dribble past three defenders before unleashing a low drive to beat Majak Maling Mawith in goals.
Gaba continued to terrorise the visitors who were forced to play defensive in order not to concede as they played mostly in their own half.
Meanwhile, Nigeria ?? came from behind to get their qualifying campaign to a positive start with a 2-1 Group L win over Benin ??.
Reports say Benin scored early but the Super Eagles recovered to collect three points at home and lead the group after Sierra Leone ?? and Lesotho ?? drew 1-1.
2017 African champions Cameroon ??, hosts for the 2021 AFCON finals, were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Cape Verde ?? at home while Senegal ?? beat Congo ?? 2-0.
Other results were:
*Guinea Bissau ?? 3-0 ?? eSwatini
*Sudan ?? 4-0 ?? Sao Tomé
*Angola ?? 1-3 ?? The Gambia
*Central Africa ?? 2-0 ?? Burundi
*Namibia ?? 2-1 ?? Chad
Other opening matches for Thursday are:
*Egypt ?? v ?? Kenya
*Mozambique ?? v ?? Rwanda
*Togo ?? v ?? Comoros
*Algeria ?? v ?? Zambia
*DR Congo ?? v ?? Gabon
*Ghana ?? v ?? South Africa
*Mali ?? v ?? Guinea