The Malawi Under-20 Men’s National Football Team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in their opening Group C match of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 | COSAFA Qualifiers in Maputo, Mozambique.
Two second-half goals from Billy Daka settled the encounter as the Junior Flames conceded twice in the final 15 minutes after holding Zambia to a goalless first half.
Head coach Enos Chatama started with Lameck Mithi, Mwisho Mhango and Misheck Billiat in attack, while Madalitso Safuli, Moffat Mnyotho and James Lumbe operated in midfield. Precious Kwalenga and Kondwani Tebulo partnered in central defence, with Prince Chiumia and Chikondi Likambale operating on the flanks, while Amos Sande started in goal.
The first half was played at a high intensity, with Malawi showing attacking intent but struggling to establish consistent control in midfield and turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities.
Chatama made changes at the start of the second half, introducing Kenneth Mwale and Yusuf Natunga for Lumbe and Mithi. The changes brought more energy to the Junior Flames, who began retaining possession for longer periods and moving the ball more effectively.
Zambia, however, increasingly used the wide areas to stretch Malawi’s defence and eventually found the breakthrough through substitute Daka.
Daka struck twice in the final 15 minutes, with both goals coming from attacks created through the flanks.
Malawi also had two penalty appeals late in the match, including one incident that was reviewed on the VAR monitor, but neither resulted in a penalty.
Reacting to the defeat, Chatama admitted his charges did not execute what they had worked on during their preparations.
“We did not deserve to win as we did not do what we practised. We opened up a lot, almost in every area of the game,” said Chatama.
The coach acknowledged Zambia’s improvement and said Malawi struggled to contain their threat from the wide areas.
“We lost because we did not respect them as they have improved since we last played them last year, and we failed to close down the flanks,” he said.
“All goals came from the flanks. We tried to close down the left, but we opened the right in our attempt to do so. All the dangerous balls were coming from the wings, and that is how Zambia got their goals.”
The Junior Flames will now turn their attention to their second Group C match against Botswana on 21 September before completing their group-stage campaign against Comoros on 23 September.
