Several Bullets players were on international duty Thursday as Malawi suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Lesotho in their opening match of the 2025 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup Senior Challenge at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Starting for the Flames were Blessings Mpokera, Yankho Singo, Wongani Lungu, Chawanangwa Gumbo, and Chikukhutso Salima, who all featured in Kalisto Pasuwa’s first XI.
Andrew Jovinala earned his first Malawi cap, coming on as a second-half substitute for the injured captain Maxwell Paipi of Silver Strikers. Richard Chimbamba and Oscar Petro were named among the substitutes but did not make an appearance.
Match Report
Lesotho, who had only managed one win over Malawi in their previous five encounters, came out aggressively, immediately threatening in the opening 30 seconds. However, Malawi’s defense recovered quickly to neutralize the early danger.
In the third minute, Timothy Silwimba surged into the opposition’s half, seeking out his Mighty Wanderers teammate Wisdom Mpinganjira, but Lesotho’s backline was able to snuff out the threat.
Lesotho won a free kick in the seventh minute when Mpinganjira fouled Thabang Malane just outside the box. Paseka Maile’s low shot was blocked by the Flames defence, with the rebound effort drifting wide.
Malawi had a free kick opportunity in the 12th minute after Zeliath Nkhoma was fouled 25 yards from goal, but Mpinganjira’s delivery was cleared to safety.
Lesotho’s first clear chance arrived in the 18th minute, following another free kick awarded on the edge of the box. Tsepo Toloane found himself unmarked, but his close-range effort failed to hit the target.
The Crocodiles came close again in the 27th minute, but Teboho Letsema’s strike flew wide of the post.
Moments later, Malawi mounted their own offensive as Lungu delivered an exceptional pass into the penalty area. Lesotho’s goalkeeper withstood the ensuing pressure and was fouled by Mpinganjira, resulting in a free kick.
At the 30-minute mark, Salima delivered a corner for Malawi, but Lesotho’s defense cleared the danger.
Despite enjoying more possession, Malawi struggled to create clear chances, while Lesotho posed greater attacking threats. The Crocodiles pressed once more in the 40th minute, winning a corner after Malawi’s defensive lapse, but failed to convert as George Chikooka gathered a weak effort.
The Flames almost broke the deadlock before halftime, but Lesotho’s defense stood firm, denying them a shot at goal. At the other end, Lesotho applied pressure in first-half stoppage time, yet the breakthrough eluded both sides as the first half ended goalless.
The second half resumed with both teams unchanged and evenly matched in the opening exchanges.
In the 53rd minute, Salima powered forward into the attack, but Malawi couldn’t make the most of the opportunity.
Pasuwa introduced Jovinala for his international debut in the 57th minute after captain Paipi was stretchered off due to injury. Promise Kamwendo also entered the fray, replacing Nkhoma.
Lesotho’s Tumelo Makha saw the first yellow card for a foul on Singo, setting up a Malawi free kick from the left wing. Mpinganjira’s subsequent delivery couldn’t find a target in the area.
Malawi appealed for a penalty in the 67th minute after a suspected handball but the referee ignored the call.
A minute later, the Flames nearly went ahead when Lungu’s pass found Gumbo, who picked out Lameck. The Silver Strikers wingback squared to Mpinganjira in the six-yard box, but the Nomads winger failed to convert.
Malawi continued to press, with Salima delivering another dangerous cross, but no one was on hand to finish.
Lesotho made their first change in the 72nd minute, bringing on Mohlomi Khaketla for Teboho Masuoane.
With momentum shifting, Malawi looked increasingly dangerous, yet their finishing repeatedly let them down.
Lesotho responded with two more substitutions in the 77th minute: Leluma Posholi replaced Fusi Matlabe, and Makala Ntaitsane came on for Lehlohonolo Fothoane. Ntaitsane quickly entered the referee’s book after attempting to score with his hand.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 82nd minute when Ntaitsane netted the winner. Though the assistant referee initially flagged for offside, the goal was awarded following a VAR review.
Seeking an equalizer, Malawi made late changes in the 87th minute, introducing Gaddie Chirwa for Silwimba and Blessings Singini for Lungu.
During four minutes of stoppage time, Malawi continued to push forward, but failed to make their final corner count, and the match ended in a 1-0 victory for Lesotho.
Prior to this match, Malawi held two wins over Lesotho, with one win apiece and a draw in previous encounters. With this result, both teams now boast two victories each in their head-to-head record.
Malawi turn their focus to Sunday’s match against Namibia, before completing their Group B fixtures against Angola next Tuesday.
