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Angola 5-Malawi 1
As the country was celebrating 39 years of independence on Sunday, the Flames were stunned with a goal deluge by Angola who thumped them 5-1 in the last fixture of Group A African Nations Cup qualifier at Cidadela Stadium in Luanda.
The uncompromising Negras Palancas (Black Antelopes) put the Flames to the sword clinically and led 2-0 in under three minutes courtesy of charitable defence.
Coach Alan Gillett described his troops’ performance as the worst since he took over.
Perhaps the solace was that while the Flames were singing blues in the Angolan capital, their reserve side warmed the hearts of thousands of Malawians with a bewitchingly creative display that saw them punish Botswana’s predominantly Under-23 side 3-1 in a friendly match at Chichiri Stadium in Blantyre, which was part of the Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
Speaking in a telephone interview from Le Meridien President Hotel in Luanda, Gillett said the loss is a shame to the country.
“Instead of showing progress, we have actually gone backwards. It’s a shame to the country and I can only apologise to the fans and the nation as a whole,” mourned the coach who, before the match, was upbeat that his charges would turn the heat on the Black Antelopes.
The coach further confessed that the Flames’ recent miserable show might raise doubts about his capabilities.
“Obviously questions are being asked now about my abilities...a coach is judged by results and unfortunately recent results do not make Fam to keep me going but I am very philosophical and I will carry on,” he added.
Gillett said apart from captain Peter Mgangira, the performance by other players was distinctly disappointing.
“Probably Mgangira gave out his best but it’s not good having just one player being outstanding. And unless we make drastic changes, the future doesn’t look good enough,” said the coach who also attributed the loss to poor preparations.
Gillett added that goalkeeper Phillip ‘MG 1’ Nyasulu and the midfield were impressive, the defence made a number of comical errors that led to almost all the goals and the striking force was also nonexistent.
Left back Maupo Msowoya gifted the Angolans the first goal when he diverted Fabrice ‘Akwa’ Matheus’ shot into his own net barely a minute and a half into the game.
Another defensive error by centre back Joseph Gatros a minute later resulted in dangerman ‘Akwa’ netting the second for Angola.
According to leader of delegation George Kaudza Masina, Gatros controlled a square ball but lost his footing in the process, allowing Matheus to sneak in and slice the ball home.
Then the Angolans registered the third goal in the 30th minute and they led 3-0 at half time before hitting the fourth in the 80th minute.
Mgangira claimed the Flames’ consolation goal two minutes later when he dribbled past an Angolan player just after the halfway line before releasing a low shot that buried itself beyond the hosts’ goalkeeper.
However, the Angolans showed no mercy to their disorganised opponents and struck the fifth in the dying minutes.
Malawi has finished last in the group with three points from four games, conceding 10 goals. Angola are the group’s runners-up with five points from the same number of games while Nigeria came out tops with eight points and already winged to the finals, to be held in Tunisia, before this game.
The Flames were scheduled to fly back home Monday evening.
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