Malawi will try to cap off a strong performance at the 2023 COSAFA Cup when they take against the hosts South Africa in the third-place playoff on Sunday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban,
The Flames made an early upset in the competition when they defeated the defending champions Zambia 1-0 in the group stages on July 6. They later advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2003.
Although Lesotho finally broke through their defense on Friday, Patrick Mabedi’s team was the only one to win all three of their group matches and move on without giving up a goal.
On the KwaZulu-Natal coast, the Crocodiles took the lead through Jane Thaba-Ntso after just 18 minutes, but Chawanangwa Kaonga equalised from the spot eight minutes later to force extra time.
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Lesotho won 3-0 to advance to the final against the Copper Bullets, who defeated Bafana Bafana 2-1 later that same evening. Malawi would ultimately miss all three of their penalties in the shootout as Lesotho triumphed.
Additionally, South Africa lost for the first time in the competition despite winning Group A with two victories and a draw.
On the KwaZulu-Natal coast, the Crocodiles took the lead through Jane Thaba-Ntso after just 18 minutes, but Chawanangwa Kaonga equalised from the spot eight minutes later to force extra time.
Lesotho won 3-0 to advance to the final against the Copper Bullets, who defeated Bafana Bafana 2-1 later that same evening. Malawi would ultimately miss all three of their penalties in the shootout as Lesotho triumphed.
Additionally, South Africa lost for the first time in the competition despite winning Group A with two victories and a draw.