Julius Banda and Kondwani Tebulo started as Malawi Under-23s fell 1–0 to Eswatini in the first leg of the 2027 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying tie at Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Banda started in goal, with Tebulo at left-back and Oscar Petro in midfield, while Misheck Billiat, Edward Thengo and Clever Kalambo were also named in the matchday squad, giving The People’s Team six representatives.
Tebulo, Billiat and Kalambo had only returned from Mozambique on Thursday after Malawi’s COSAFA Under-20 campaign before joining up with the U23 squad.
Malawi saw more of the ball early on but struggled to create clear openings. Their best chance came in the 28th minute when Mwisho Mhango combined with Levison Mnyenyembe before firing narrowly wide.
Petro was booked in the 38th minute, while Eswatini captain Luyanda Nhlengetfwa was cautioned four minutes later for bringing down James Lumbe, with neither side able to break the deadlock before half-time.
Eswatini came out with greater urgency after the restart, and the Bullets Reserves goalie was quickly called into action, punching a dangerous cross clear in the 48th minute.
Malawi responded with their first change of the half in the 63rd minute, bringing on Billiat for Mnyenyembe, while Thengo and Kalambo remained unused substitutes.
Ten minutes later, however, Eswatini took the lead when Sibonile Vilakati found space on the edge of the box and fired beyond Banda.
Bob Mpinganjira reacted with two changes in the 76th minute, sending on Lusali Jali and Lameck Mithi for Lumbe and Blessings Kanowa as Malawi searched for a response.
Eswatini threatened again late on, but Banda kept Malawi within a goal in the 85th minute, denying Njabulo Gama one-on-one.
The Junior Flames pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not find a way through, leaving Eswatini with a slender advantage ahead of the return leg.
The return fixture will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini, on Tuesday, 6 October.
