Burundi and Malawi battled to a 0-0 draw in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Thursday.
Malawi’s Caretaker Coach Kalitso Pasuwa brought back Charles Petro, Alick Lungu, Richard Mbulu and Gabadinho Mhango in the starting line up after being on the sidelines for quite sometime.
He also gave Bullets midfielder Yankho Singo his debut while maintaining six others from the previous match in goalkeeper William Thole, McDonald Rameck, Dennis Chembezi, captain John Banda, Gaddi Chirwa and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Flames started on high note getting two corner kicks inside the first 14 minutes, but Burundi defended well on both occasions.
In the 15th minute Malawi got another corner kick after Gaddi Chirwa’s pass to find Mbulu in the box iwas headed out by Burundi defender Nduwarugira Christophe. Chirwa took the corner but once again Burundi defends well.
Burundi’s first chance came in the 35th minute when Dennis Chembezi fouled Pacifique Niyongabire at the edge of the box . The Malawi wall blocked the free kick for a corner kick which was well defended.
Three minutes from the close of the first half, Malawi got a free kick on the edge of the box following a foul on Richard Mbulu, but Gabadinho’s effort went wide.
Burundi starting XI: Jonathan Nahimana, Omar Moussa, Christophe Nduwarugira, Frédéric Nsabiyumva, Pacifique Niyongabire, Akbar Muderi, Youssouf Ndayisihimiye, Bienvenue Kanakimana, Jean Claude Girumugisha, Jordi Liongola, Aruna Mussa.
Subs: Onesime Rukundo, Prince Musore, Keita Bukuru, Hussein Shabani, Trésor Mossi, Mokono Eldhino, Aladin Bizimana, Shassiri Nahimana, Kevin Uwimana, Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana, Abdoul Manirakoze.
Malawi starting XI: William Thole, McDonald Lamec, Charles Petro, Denis Chembezi, Alick Lungu, Gaddie Chirwa, Yankho Singo, John Christopher Banda, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Richard Mbulu, Gabadinho Mhango.
Subs: George Chokooka, Richard Chimbamba, Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Maxwell Paipi, Nickson Mwale, Chawa, Lloyd Aaron, Patrick Mwaungulu, Lloyd Njaliwa, Zebron Kalima, Wisdom Mpinganjira.