Malawi knock out Bafana to book Cosafa Cup Plate final

Malawi national football team has reached the 2015 Cosafa Cup plate final following a  5 – 4 victory over  South Africa after penalties at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday.

A goalless 90 minutes saw the game decided on penalties,  and Flames goalkeeper Mc Donald Harawa was hero of the day after saving two penalties and following three successful penalties each, it was Malawi’s Mician Mhone who first failed to convert, yet Marc Van Heerden was denied on the very next kick as the scores remained level.

Two successful penalties meant sudden death, as Ajax Cape Town’s Robin Ngalande scored for Malawi, yet Siyabonga Nhlapo was denied by Harawa as the Flames emerged 5-4 victors.

Malawi now face Zambia in Friday’s Plate Final.

Despite missing the penalty, Mhone  was voted the man of the match.

Assistant coach Jack Chamangwana  said he was happy with the reaction and character his team showed following the victory.

Chamangwana said they are aiming to win against Zambia on Friday.

Zambia won 3-0 against Ghana.

“The boys pressed high and disturbed the build up by  South Africa,” Chamangwana said.

Chamangwana also said they will use the Zambia game  to prepare for  the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers match against Zimbabwe in June.

Malawi XI: Harawa, Lanjesi, Fodya, Malata, Sulumba (Mkanda 35’), J. Banda, Kumwenda (Ngalande 82’), Kayira, Mzava, Mhone, Phiri (F. Banda 78’)

Bafana Bafana XI: Mabokgwane, Nhlapho, Mngonyama, Daniels, Van Heerden, Lark, Madisha, Morena (Nyanda 40’), Segolela, Motupa (Ekstein 59’), Bhengu (Manyama 62’)

Penalty sequence:

Frank Banda – scores

Clayton Daniels – scores

Limbikani Mzava – scores

Mduduzi Nyanda – scores

Zicco Mkanda – scores

Motjeka Madisha – scores

Mician Mhone – saved

Mark van Heerden – saved

Lucky Malata – scores

Lebo Manyama – scores

Robin Ngalande – scores

Siyabonga Nhlapo – saved

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