* The was first adjudged to have been scored from an offside position but video assistant referee (VAR) caught a Malawian defender to have helped the scorer be onside
* VAR has been introduced from game one for the first time in this year’s competition — the first time on the African continent for a regional competition
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Flames have lost 0-1 to Lesotho in the opening Group B match of the COSAFA Cup 2025 — a goal conceded with just 6 minutes to regulation time played this afternoon at Toyota Stadium in Mangaung, Bloemfontein in South Africa.
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It was first adjudged to have been scored from an offside position but video assistant referee (VAR), which has been introduced from game one for the first time in this year’s competition — the first time on the African continent for a regional competition — caught a Malawian defender to have helped the scorer be onside.
The Flames showed dominance right from start with confident passing and great control of the game but could not break a very tight Lesotho defence, which defended their lead scored from a lucky break up to four minutes of added time.
Playing from 18h00 are fellow Group B opponents, defending champions against Namibia. The Flames will next meet Namibia on Sunday, June 8 with the final Group B clash against defending champions Angola scheduled for Tuesday, June 10.
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In Group A matches played yesterday, Mozambique were the first winners on Day 1 of the COSAFA Cup 2025 as they defeated hosts South Africa 1-0, while Mauritius held Zimbabwe to a 0-0 draw at the same Toyota Stadium.
The result has put the Flames in a difficult situation as the other two opponents are quite stronger than Lesotho as only one winner from the four groups go through to the semifinals.
The defeat comes hot on the heels of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers lost to South Africa at 2-1 on aggregate after the Flames had won 1-0 at home only to lose 2-0 away.
