Emmanuel Saviel Jr. brace helped Malawi Under 20 to a 3-2 victory to hand them a chance of winning the four nations tournament.
The 2023 Castel Challenge Cup joint top goalscorer produced an outstanding display of attacking football which left the Zimbabwe defence stretched, particularly in the second half.
The Junior Flames needed all points at Silver Stadium to lead the standings and Madalitso Safuli put them ahead in the 31st minute.
The Young Warriors pulled level 11 minutes later but the game turned Flames’ way in the second with Saviel’s two deciding goals.
“it was a very difficult game you know we have only trained for just a week but I am very happy that we have won” said Bob Mpinganjira coach for Malawi
Zimbabwe looped ball after ball behind Flames defence who most of the times were defending deeply in the early minutes of the match.
After few attempts by Saviel Jr. and Mwisho Mhango midway in the first half, the Flames broke the deadlock on 31st minute when Safuli was found unmarked inside the box and the Manchester Motor Spares star to power the ball into the right corner of the net.
Two minutes later, Mhango could have extended the lead but he saw his effort from free-kick bouncing off the crossbar.
Zimbabwe registered their first shot on target after 38 minutes when Malawi goalie, Amos Sande produced fabulous save to stop Prince Ndhlovu’s powerful shot from inside the box.
It appeared as though the visitors would be forced out of their shells but they drew level in unexpected circumstances. It was Kondwani Tebulo who cleared the ball into his own 18-yard box to the direction of Zimbabwe dangerman Denzel Mapuwa who easily tapped into the net.
Saviel Jr. who was quiet in the first half, restored Malawi’s lead in the 57th minutes when he dribbled past two Zimbabwe’s before sending a hard short that took a slight deflection on Allan Chapinduka before kissing the net.
He completed his brace one minute later with a fine finish from the edge of the box.
The Warriors were not yet finished as they reduced the arrears to 3-2 through Mapuwa who headed home the ball from the left corner flag.
The last 20 minutes saw the visitors pressing harder for an equalizer but Flames stood film and managed to defend their 3-2 lead.
Zimbabwe Under 20 coach Simon Marange believes they lost the game due to complacency.
He said: “we controlled a better part of the game but we lost it in transition moments, the two quick goals came when we lost bit of shape but since we are dealing with young players, we anticipate such things to happen”
Zimbabwe will play their last match on Friday against Kenya and the later will complete their assignment against Malawi on Monday next week.
