Izuchukwu Okosi
Malawi Edges Past Zimbabwe
Senegal were held to a scoreless draw by Guinea on Friday as both teams moved a step closer to reaching the Round of 16 stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal led by Liverpool forward Sadio Mane missed a couple of good chances and allowed Guinea who paraded Mane’s club mate Naby Keita to dominate possession early in the game.
Morgan Guilavogui went close for Guinea but saw his close rage shot kept put by Sent Dieng on goal for the Teranga Lions.
Both sides eventually settled for a scoreless draw but are a step away from qualifying to the Round of 16 stages.
In Group C’s fixture between Morocco and debutants Comoros, Selim Amallah and Soufiane Chakla scored on either half to secure Morocco a hard fought 2-0 win.
Midfielder Amallah got the the opener on 16 minutes with a great finish past the brilliant Comoros keeper Salime Boina.
Boina saved a late Youssef En-Nesyri penalty to keep his side the game before substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal secured the victory with a stoppage time goal and booked the Atlas Lions’ place in the knockout stage.
Striker Gabadinho Mhango scored a brace as Malawi came from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in an exciting TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations match played at the Stade Omnisports de Bafoussam on Friday.
The COSAFA rivals were looking to salvage their campaign in Group B following defeats in their opening matches.
The two sides went for each other in the opening minutes of the game with action at both ends of the pitch.
Zimbabwe eventually broke the deadlock moments before the end of the first half with Ishmael Wadi heading in from a pin point cross by Onismor Bhasera. But the lead did not last very long as Gabadinho Mhango struck from close range to level matters.
The score was 1-1 at half-time.
Malawi took the lead with Gabadinho Mhango getting his brace with another fine finish in the box. The Orlando Pirates man calmly slotting the ball past keeper Petros Mhari.
Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza, in an attempt to search for the equalizer brought on Admiral Muskwe to replace captain Knowledge Musona.
Malawi held on to claim three points ahead of the final group match against Senegal on Tuesday in Bafoussam. Zimbabwe tackle Guinea in Yaounde.
Malawi came from a goal down to defeat Zimbabwe 2-1.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
