Chipolopolo gets humiliated by Malawi

MALAWI yesterday celebrated its 48th Independence Anniversary with a memorable win over African champions Zambia in an international friendly at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Skipper Joseph Kamwendo was the hero netting in the 84th minute from a rebound after Green Harawa’s shot was blocked.
The players and fans celebrated the goal as if it was a make-or-break competitive encounter….
The Malawi Flames who have been drawn against Ghana’s Black Stars in the last round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, were kept at bay for most of the match by a second-string Chipolopolo.
Roderick Kabwe could have put Zambia ahead in the 73rd minute but his thunderbolt was parried for a corner by goalkeeper Charles Swini.
Zambia started the match on a fast pace with Joseph Sitali and John Ching’andu controlling proceedings in the midfield, outdoing the Malawi duo of Kamwendo and John Banda.
Zambia coach Herve Renard had Joshua Titima in goal, Jimmy Chisenga, Stephen Kabamba, Nyambe Mulenga and Aaron Katebe were in defence.
Thomas Nyirenda, Lewis Macha, Chingandu and Sitali were operating the midfield while Jackson Mwanza and Evans Kangwa were in attack.
Kangwa shot straight at Swini after an exchange of passes involving Kabamba, Sitali and Ching’andu in the 25th minute.
After the break, Renard rested Mwanza and Ching’andu for Kabwe and Mwepya Kasongo respectively but still goals eluded the Zambians and instead it was Kamwendo who rose to the occasion.
“I am not impressed with the way the strikers lost possession unnecessarily,” Renard said.
Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri said the win will motivate his players ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana.