Malawi start on winning note

MALAWI have begun this year’s edition of the Mopani 2017 COSAFA Youth championship on a positive note after they beat Swaziland 3-2 in an early kick-off played yesterday at Arthur Davies stadium in Kitwe.

Patrick Phiri's brace and a lone goal from striker Peter Phiri after benefiting from Nickson Nyasulu's cross in the 14th minute of the game was enough to see the young Achimwene boys collect maximum points in their first fixture of the tournament.

Malawi dominated play from the first whistle and were rewarded 14 minutes into the first half when Peter Banda beat goal keeper Mlamuli Lukhele after being assisted by Nyasulu.

Swaziland however levelled the scores 13 minutes into the second half through Tsabenze Muse. Malawi's midfield maestro Patrick Phiri restored Malawi's lead five minutes later after going past a clumsy Swazi defence.

Gamedze Saviola scored from a spot kick and levelled matters after Swaziland's deadly striker Tsabedze Muzu was recklessly brought down in the eighteen yard .

The equaliser did not last long as Phiri nodded the ball into the back of the net to complete his brace and help Malawi snatch three points in the crucial group A fixture.

Despite recording a loss, Swaziland coach Mandela Dlamini expressed satisfaction with his players performance.

Dlamini noted that his players played well and were unfortunate to have lost to Malawi.

Meanwhile, Malawian coach Gerald Phiri hailed his boys for maintaining their focus to collect maximum points in the game against Swaziland.

Phiri noted that the game against Swaziland has helped them to see where they needed to improve on as they take on host team Zambia in their next fixture.

Meanwhile, North African guest team Egypt beat Mozambique 1-0 in the first group B fixture at Arthur Davies Stadium.

Though registering a loss, Mozambique gave the young Pharaohs a run for their money as goalkeeper Victor Eguamba produced fantastic saves in both halves of the game to stop the Egyptian front line of Mohammed Mahfuz, Riad and Hussein Abdelkadah from finding the back of the net.

Abdelkakadah however broke the deadlock five minutes before the final whistle to hand Egypt their first victory at the tournament.

The win took Egypt to the summit of group B with three points while Mozambique dropped to fourth without a point.