By Jones Gadama
The Malawi National Football Team, affectionately known as the Flames, has been held to a goalless draw by Namibia in their second match of the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup.
This result leaves the team rooted at the bottom of Group B with just one point from two games.
The match, played at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, was a tightly contested affair, with both teams creating few scoring opportunities.
Despite dominating possession, the Flames were unable to find a way past the Namibia defense, while the Brave Warriors’ solid defending and occasional counter-attacks kept the Malawian goalkeeper George Chikooka on high alert.
*Current Group B Standings:*
– *Angola*: 4 points (group leaders)
– *Lesotho*: 3 points
– *Namibia*: 2 points
– *Malawi*: 1 point
To keep their hopes of advancing alive, the Flames must now defeat group leaders Angola in their final match on Tuesday and hope that the encounter between Namibia and Lesotho on the same day ends in a draw.
Given the competitive nature of the tournament, this will be a tall order for the Malawian team.
“We need to get into the box and score goals,” said Flames assistant coach Peter Mponda after the match, highlighting the team’s struggles in front of goal.
Despite the setback, Mponda remains optimistic about the team’s chances, emphasizing that they have worked on their shortfalls and are determined to secure a positive result against Angola.
*Upcoming Fixtures:*
– *Namibia vs Lesotho*: June 10
– *Angola vs Malawi*: June 10
The Flames’ final match against Angola will be a crucial one, with the team needing a win to keep their semifinal dreams alive.
Malawi football fans will be hoping that their team can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that keeps their COSAFA Cup aspirations burning.
