The Malawi National Team coach Patrick Mabedi has blamed referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa after Flames’ 1-0 home defeat against Senegal in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Flesh from a 4-0 humiliation away to Senegal last Friday, the Flames managed to held the visitors until the fifth minute in the stoppage time when the Ethiopian referee awarded freekick just outside the box to the Talanga Lions which Sadio Mane converted.
But in reaction to the game, Flames coach Patrick Mabedi believes the freekick was too soft to be awarded.
“I thought we played with 11 – 11 but we saw the referee also was part of supporters on the opponents” said coach Patrick Mabedi.
Meanwhile, despite the the loss Mabedi expressed satisfaction with the performance of his team today.
“Iam proud of the boys, they were discipline and we were playing against a good team. We had chances, it was an open game we could score but unfortunately composure in the goal, we were not sharp enough”
“We lost, we proud because the performance wise was good. It’s sad that we lost because to my opinion it was supposed to end 0-0” added Mabedi.
Following the loss Flames remains bottom of group L without point in four matches.
However, Mabedi has conceded that Flames are out of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
He further revealed that he wants to switch his focus on preparing for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers games.
“Now mathematically we are out so for now it’s just to makesure to take our remaining two games as preparations for World Cup qualifiers games”
Following the win, Senegal have closed the gap between them and leaders Burkina Faso. Both teams have 10 points but Burkina Faso remains top, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Ethiopia stays third with three points.
