Malawi national soccer team aka the Flames who stunned African Cup of Nations defending champions Egypt 1-0 in Blantyre on Saturday have been highly rewarded by its president Bingu Wa Mutharika and companies for their historical victory.
The country’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Development Symon Kaunda said Saturday that the president was impressed with the team’s performance adding that he has invited the soccer team to his residence for dinner.
The teams’ win has also sparked some of the country’s companies to splash money to the Flames.
Some of the pledges have come from companies like Mapeto David Whitehead and Sons, HTD, Mike Appel and Gatto, Xerographics and ministers plus individuals.
The pledges in total have come to about 4 million Malawi Kwacha (about US$ 230,000).
Flames made history once again when they stunned Africa Cup of Nations defending champions Egypt beating them 1-0 at their backyard Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre on Saturday in the joint World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
This was a weekend of shocks which also saw Southern African countries Tanzania and Botswana hold other African heavy weights.
Tanzania held Cameroon, Africa Cup of Nations losing finalists to a goalless draw in Dar es Salam while Botswana held Ivory Coast to a one all draw in Gaberone.
However other Southern African countries suffered defeats. South Africa who are the 2010 World Cup hosts lost 0-1 away to Sierra Leone whereas Zimbabwe lost 2-0 to Kenya. Angola lost miserably to Uganda 1-3.
Substitute Chiukepo Msowoya who came in for South African based professional Russel Mwafulirwa was responsible for the Pharaohs downfall as he scored in the last minute of injury time.
Msowoya’s stunning volley sparked celebrations in the Southern African country’s commercial city of Blantyre.
It was a sweet victory for the Flames who last weekend lost to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 0-1 in Kinshasa in Group 12. The loss also came after they had registered a biggest win in their first game beating Djibouti 8-1 in Blantyre.
Malawi played out of their skin with their Captain Peter Mponda commanding his colleagues well and Egypt survived several dangerous moves with their goalkeeper Essam El Hadary at his best.
Malawi’s win rifted them to the top of Group 12 with six points likewise Egypt and DRC who beat Djibouti 6-0 on Friday but the Flames have a better goal difference.
Egypt coach Hassan Shehata was shocked by Malawi’s late goal and admitted after the match that the Flames deserved the victory.
Shehata who has won two consecutive Africa Cup of Nations attributed the loss to injuries.
“Malawi is a good team and Iam impressed but we had too many injuries,” the Egyptian coach said.
Malawi’s Coach Kinnah Phiri who took over from British coach Stephen Constantine who resigned recently, said it was a good result which has put the Southern African country’s national team campaign back on track.
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