Angola edge Malawi as Namibia are beaten

By Gilbert Wandera                  

Zambia: Angolan side edged out Malawi 3-2 on their way to the plate final of the Cosafa Cup at Arthur Davies Stadium in Kitwe Wednesday.

The winners had to come from two goals down on both occasions to grab their first win of the competition.

Malawi were chasing their first win after going down to defending champions Zimbabwe 5-4 on post-match penalties on Sunday and were the more determined side as they went ahead in the fifth minute through Justin Simekonda, who tapped home a well laid cross by Chiukepo Msorumweya.

Seven minutes later Angola were back in the match after Cristiviao Prancieca netted the equaliser.

He squeezed in a header from the left flank when Arie Papel had sent a high ball into the Malawi defense that failed to be cleared.

Malawi kept up the pressure and were nearly rewarded in the 19th minute, but Bongani Kaipa who was near the Angola goal shot wide.

The scores stood 1-1 at the break. Malawi kept up the pressure as the second half kicked off and were rewarded two minutes into resumption when Abdul Nzaniwao headed into his own net while trying to clear a dangerous ball.

The lead did not last long and Angola were back into the match in the 54th minute through Prancieca who headed home his second goal of the match, his third of the tournament.

Antonio Nzayinawo killed off the game for Angola in the 84th minute, heading home after catching the Malawi defence napping.

In the second match, Mozambique edged out Namibia 1-0. The lone goal for Mozambique came at the stroke of half time through Apsone Manjare.