A quartet from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets played pivotal roles as Malawi secured a 1-0 home victory against South Africa in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 qualifiers on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium.
Lloyd Aaron, Yankho Singo, and Wongani Lungu started for the Flames, while Chawanangwa Gumbo was introduced in the second half.
The decisive moment came in the 87th minute when Kamuzu Barracks’ forward, Zeriat Nkhoma’s header clinched the first-leg win for Malawi in the two-legged encounter.
Malawi signaled their intent early, with Wongani Lungu releasing Wisdom Mpinganjira in the 23rd minute; however, the Mighty Wanderers winger’s shot went straight to the goalkeeper, Mondli Mpoto.
Just two minutes later, Bafana Bafana mounted a threat, but Silver Strikers wingback Andrew Lameck responded brilliantly, expertly heading the ball back to his club teammate George Chikooka, who was guarding the posts for Malawi on Saturday afternoon.
The Flames came close again in the 29th minute. Aaron’s incisive through ball connected with Silver forward Binwell Katinji, who found Lungu. The Bullets midfielder threaded a pass to Nkhoma, but the striker couldn’t get the ball under control to create a scoring opportunity in the six-yard box.
Malawi earned the game’s first corner in the 40th minute, but failed to capitalize on Mpinganjira’s inviting delivery, with South Africa’s defense clearing the danger.
The visitors nearly took the lead just before halftime, winning a corner in the 45th minute, but Chikooka punched the set piece away. The first half ended goalless.
After the break, the South Africans emerged aggressively, probing Malawi’s defense in the opening minutes of the final half. Ten minutes in, they found space on the left flank and sent in a dangerous cross, but Alick Lungu intervened to avert the threat.
Bafana Bafana earned their second corner in the 60th minute but failed to make it count shortly after coach Molefi Ntseki made his first substitution, swapping Mamelodi Sundowns’ Sammy Seabi for Kaizer Chiefs’ Samkelo Zwane.
In the 64th minute, Malawi nearly broke the deadlock as Alick Lungu whipped a dangerous ball toward the far post, only for Mpoto to tip it over for another corner—one the Flames could not exploit.
A minute later, Malawi’s coach Kalisto Pasuwa made a double substitution, bringing on Bullets midfielder Chawanangwa Gumbo for the booked Singo, and Kamuzu Barracks’ Olson Kanjira for Katinji.
South Africa had a golden opportunity in the 73rd minute, however, their effort from the edge of the box sailed over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Ntseki made a double switch, introducing Christopher Sithole and Aphelele Teto for Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Mbongeni Gumede.
Both teams pressed for a breakthrough in the final ten minutes, but neither could find a clear opening in attack, before Mpinganjira nearly gave Malawi the lead in the 83rd minute after a fine move, only to be denied by another impressive save from Mpoto.
Moments later, Malawi broke the deadlock with a crucial goal. Capitalizing on the corner conceded by Mpoto just a minute prior, Nkhoma latched onto Mpinganjira’s exceptional delivery and finished from close range, giving the Flames an advantage.
Reeling from the Flames’ late goal, South Africa mounted a desperate search for an equalizer, but the home side stood their ground with determined defending, clinching a vital first-leg win.
Now, as they head to Pretoria for next Sunday’s return fixture, Malawi need only a favorable result to book their place at the CHAN finals set for August in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba remained on the bench as an unused substitute, while defender Andrew Jovinala and midfielder Chikumbutso Salima were not included in the matchday squad.
Malawi XI: George Chikooka, Macdonald Lameck, Nickson Mwase, Maxwell Paipi (captain), Alick Lungu; Yankho Singo (Gumbo 65’), Lloyd Aaron, Wongani Lungu; Wisdom Mpinganjira, Zeliat Nkhoma, Binwell Katinji (Kanjira 65’).
Substitutes: Richard Chimbamba, Emanuel Nyirenda, Blessings Singini, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Zebron Kalima, Gaddie Chirwa, Olson Kanjira.
