Malawi’s campaign in the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Angola on Wednesday night at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Five players from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets featured as the Flames aimed for an ambitious 5-0 victory margin, while hoping Namibia and Lesotho finished level, to book a spot in the semi-finals.
Blessings Mpokera, Yankho Singo, Chawanangwa Gumbo, and Chikumbutso Salima were all named in Kalisto Pasuwa’s starting lineup, while Oscar Petro stepped off the bench to earn his first senior cap for Malawi.
Match Highlights
Malawi began the match with intensity, pressing forward from the outset in pursuit of an early breakthrough. Just eight minutes in, Mighty Wanderers midfielder Gaddie Chirwa unleashed a shot from distance, challenging Angolan goalkeeper Adilson da Cruz, also known as Neblú. The effort forced Neblú into an awkward initial save before he managed to secure the ball on his second attempt.
Angola swiftly replied and were awarded a freekick in the 20th minute, floating the ball into the box, but Mpokera stood firm to relieve the pressure. Malawi were immediately called upon again to defend a long throw-in, which they managed successfully.
At the other end, Gumbo missed a golden opportunity to put the Flames in front, sending his shot over the bar after Angola’s keeper lost control inside the penalty area.
Before 30 minutes had elapsed, Chirwa whipped a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, but the Angolan keeper intervened before Gumbo and Kamwendo could capitalize.
The Palancas Negras earned their first corner in the 32nd minute but failed to threaten from the set piece.
Malawi responded with their third corner of the match after Wisdom Mpinganjira’s free-kick was deflected behind, but Salima’s delivery couldn’t find a teammate in position to finish.
Pasuwa’s side came close to breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute when Blessings Singini fired a powerful shot from distance, but Neblú stretched to tip it over the bar for Malawi’s fifth corner, which once again failed to yield a significant opportunity.
After two minutes of stoppage time, the first half concluded 0-0. Malawi appeared the more threatening side, but neither team could find the back of the net.
Seeking to inject new energy, Angola made two halftime changes, bringing on Buatu Mananga for Gilberto Gibelé and Ambrosini Salvador for Chicco Banza. Malawi, meanwhile, kept their lineup unchanged.
Pedro Gonçalves’ men started the second half with intent, as substitute Salvador quickly caused problems, forcing Chikooka into conceding a corner. From the resulting set piece, Randy Nteka’s header found the net, handing Angola a lead just two minutes after the break, 1-0.
Salvador remained a menace in the 54th minute but was penalized for a foul on Singini while attempting an acrobatic bicycle kick inside the box.
Singini, who had suffered a head injury, could not continue and was stretchered off. Bullets Reserves’ Oscar Petro replaced him in the 62nd minute, as Pasuwa also substituted Gaddie Chirwa for Kamuzu Barracks’ striker Olson Kanjira.
The double substitution sparked Malawi into life, with Salima reverting to his preferred position on the wing. He immediately made his presence felt, winning a corner with a dangerous cross. Gumbo connected with Salima’s set piece, but his shot was blocked before Angola cleared their lines.
Angola responded with a double substitution in the 69th minute, introducing Anthonio Da Silva and Alberto Miguel. Pasuwa followed suit three minutes later, bringing on Wongani Lungu and Zeliati Nkhoma for Promise Kamwendo and Chawanangwa Gumbo.
Ten minutes from time, Felício João came on for Nteka as the Angolan goal scorer was unable to continue following a knock.
Pushing for an equaliser, Malawi pressed forward in the closing stages. Mpinganjira’s effort skimmed past the goalkeeper’s left post, and moments later, Lungu fired just over the bar.
With ten minutes of added time in the second half, Malawi kept the pressure on. In the 94th minute, Salima was released by Lungu and curled a shot just wide of the far post.
In the 96th minute, Malawian players appealed for a penalty, but Zambian referee Hillary Hambaba waved play on. Shortly before, the injured Singo was replaced by Charles Nkhoma.
After an incident involving a foul on the Angolan goalkeeper, Hambaba added two more minutes. When the final whistle blew, Angola emerged 1-0 winners, and Malawi bowed out of the 2025 Cosafa Cup without recording a win.
The Flames finished at the bottom of Group B, with two losses and a draw. Angola advanced to the semi-finals, topping the table with seven points, followed by Namibia with five points, and Lesotho with four.
