* They join Uganda, Niger, Guinea and Algeria in Group C of the CHAN finals to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania
By Duncan Mlanjira
The same case of so-near-yet-so-far for Malawi as they have been eliminated from qualifying for their first-ever African Nations Championship (CHAN) finals after being beaten 2-0 by South Africa in the second leg they went leading 1-0 which the Flames attained at Bingu National Stadium last week.
Advertisement
At Loftus Stadium in Pretoria this afternoon, the South Africa have gone through on 2-1 aggregate and join Uganda, Niger, Guinea and Algeria in Group C of the CHAN finals in August to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Algeria qualified in the other qualifier after beating The Gambia on Friday with a commanding 3-0, securing a 3-0 aggregate victory for the North Africans, who had held the Scorpions to a goalless draw in Bakau in the first leg of the playoff last week.
Advertisement
South Africa went back home and reinforced their squad and their coach Molefi Ntseki told SAFA.net ahead of the match that they were to claim the ticket by the time the dust has settled — and they did just that as they controlled the match right from the beginning.
They attacked relentlessly towards the end of the match as they led 1-0 from the first half knowing the match would go into penalties if it ended 1-1 on aggregate.
The Malawi defence saved earlier by excellent goalkeeping by Silver Strikers George Chikooka gave in in the last three minutes of regulation time after some sloppy defending and creative attack on the part of the hosts.
* Weather updates
