Malawi’s national football team, the Flames, earned their first point in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Burundi at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Despite being out of contention for AFCON qualification after four consecutive losses, the Flames showed resilience, ending the game with their first clean sheet in the qualifiers.
Caretaker coach Kalisto Pasuwa made key changes to the starting lineup, bringing back Charles Petro, Alick Lungu, Richard Mbulu, and Gabadinho Mhango, while debuting Yankho Singo, a midfielder from Bullets FC. The Flames were off to a strong start, earning two corner kicks within the first 14 minutes, though Burundi’s defense held firm.
The first half remained largely uneventful for Burundi, who only managed their first chance in the 35th minute after Pacifique Niyongabire was fouled by Dennis Chembezi. Burundi’s free kick was blocked by Malawi’s defense, maintaining the stalemate at halftime.
After the break, Burundi intensified their efforts, coming close to scoring in the 50th minute, but a weak shot by Nsabiyumva was easily saved by Malawi’s goalkeeper William Thole. Pasuwa then refreshed his lineup, making triple substitutions in the 62nd minute, bringing on Chawanangwa Kaonga, Loyd Njaliwa, and Lloyd Aaron.
Malawi’s best chance of the game came in the 86th minute. Chawanangwa Kaonga’s cross was parried by Burundi’s keeper, and Mpinganjira set up Mhango in the penalty box, but Mhango’s shot was heroically saved on the line.
Despite a final surge in stoppage time, including a bicycle kick attempt from Mhango, the Flames couldn’t break the deadlock. The draw leaves Malawi at the bottom of Group L with just one point. The Flames conclude their AFCON Qualifiers campaign at home against Burkina Faso at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Pasuwa believed the work of :William Thole (GK), Macdonald Lameck (subbed by Gomezgani Chirwa, 70’), Charles Petro, Denis Chembezi, Richard Mbulu (subbed by Loyd Njaliwa, 62’), Gabadinho Mhango, Alick Lungu, John Banda (C), Gaddi Chirwa (subbed by Chawanangwa Kaonga, 62’), Lanjesi Nkhoma (subbed by Wisdom Mpinganjira, 70’), Yankho Singo (subbed by Lloyd Aaron, 62’)
Unused Subs: Richard Chimbamba, George Chikooka, Nickson Mwase, Nickson Nyasulu, Patrick Mwaungulu, Zebron Kalima, Maxwell Paipi.
FAM
