By Garry Chirwa
Malawi Under-20 Men鈥檚 National Football Team sits at the summit of the Cosafa Men鈥檚 Under-20 Championship Group A after their 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe yesterday at Dr Have Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia.
Malawi are tied on points with second-placed Angola who edged the hosts 1-0, but are separated by goal difference.
The tournament is part of the delayed 2024 Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games.
Coach Millias Pofera Jegwe says the victory is a big motivation as they itch to break the 14-year semi-final qualification jinx in the regional showpiece.
He said: 鈥淪tarting with a victory gives us a strong chance of making it to the last four.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always crucial to start with a win and build up from there because you have all the confidence.
鈥淲e鈥檒l take each game as it comes, but now it鈥檚 time for celebrations.鈥
Germany-based Mwisho Mhango鈥檚 brace ensured that full points were in the bag for Malawi, who fought for every inch of the way.
Mhango drew first blood in the 14th minute after being put through by captain Mischeck Billiat.
Zimbabwe pulled level in the 57th minute through Tadiwa Chamuchichi.
Mhango then claimed the winner with a swing of his leg from close range in the 72nd minute.
To add extra spice to an already hot mixture, Mhango was named man-of the-match.
Malawi face the hosts tomorrow before wrapping up their group qualifiers against Angola on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the girls鈥 side failed to make use of their dominance to play out a one-all draw against the hosts at University of Namibia Stadium.
They created a plethora of chances, but failed to make them count.
Except on a few occasions when they crossed the half way line, the Namibians had their backs to the wall and looked bemused right in their own backyard.
Malawi coach Linda Kasenda admitted that they dropped two points other than bagging one.
鈥淭his is a match we could have won easily had the girls been sharp upfront,鈥 she said.
鈥淏ut all is not lost, we will work on our shortfalls and come back stronger.鈥
All the four teams in the group have a point each as Zimbabwe and Botswana also played out a one-all draw.