Football: HOLLYWOODBETS Cosafa Cup 2023 |11 July 2023
Lanjesi Nkhoma opened the scoring for Malawi against Seychelles on Sunday (Photo: Cosafa)
Seychelles exit tournament after two losses
Following defeat against the Comoros in their opening match at the ongoing Council of Southern Africa Football Associations Cup, Seychelles exited the competition after being brushed aside 2-0 by Malawi in their second group B match on Sunday at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
Second half goals from Lanjesi Nkhoma and Christopher Kumwembe were enough to secure victory for the Malawian side, maintaining their 100 percent record at the tournament.
Seychelles managed to keep their opponents at bay, keeping a clean sheet during the first half of the match, going into the break all-square.
The Seychelles defence however cracked in when Kaonga showed good strength to brush off his marker on the right before sending a cross to the back post where Lanjesi Nkhoma headed past substitute keeper Alvin Michel to open the scoring.
Malawi doubled the score 10 minutes later when Nkhoma’s initial shot from an angle on the left was not dealt with by goalkeeper Michel, leaving Kumwembe with the simple task of tapping home from close range to seal the win.
In their third match today, the players of coach Vivian Both will play defending champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambia.
In their first match last Thursday, Seychelles lost 0-3 to fellow island nation and neighbours the Comoros, with goals from Affane Djambae, Ibroihim Youssouf and Boina Bacar Raïdou.
In the other match in the group played on Sunday, Zambia kept their title defence alive as they put in a much-improved performance to beat 10-man Comoros 2-1, following their surprise loss to Malawi in their opening match.
The Zambians took the lead through Frederick Mulambia early in the second half before a defensive lapse saw Affane Djambae equalise for the Coelacanths.
Zambia took all three points when Albert Kangwanda scored the winner 16 minutes from time.
The Coelacanths would finish the game with 10 men when Bakri Youssouf received his marching orders for a second yellow card on 77 minutes.
Malawi now top group B on maximum six points, with the Comoros second, and Zambia third, level on three points apiece from a win a defeat each.
In the last group matches today, Zambia will face Seychelles, while Malawi will play against the Comoros.
The teams:
Seychelles: J. Lesperance (A. Michel 46'), J. Mathiot (R. Pascal 36'), W. Mellie, D. Balette, D. Fanchette, C. Hopprich (G. Vidot 5'), K. Nourrice, D. Louise (N. Confiance 78'), T. Camille, B. Labrosse (J. Ravignia 78'), D. Mothe.
Malawi: B. Munthali, S. Sanudi, N. Mwase, D. Chembezi, R. Saiz (P. Mwaungulu 49'), C. Idana, L. Aaron, A. Lungu, L. Nkhoma (C. Mapemba 82'), C. Kaonga (F. Willard 86'), C. Kumwembe.
Compiled by Roland Duval
