Malawi booked their place at the second round of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers despite a 3-1 loss to Chad in N’djamena on Saturday.
Striker Gabadinho Mhango’s 60th minute strike proved crucial as the Flames ousted Les Sao on the away goal rule after a 3-3 tie. The South Africa-based forward who scored all two goals in the first leg in Blantyre, was again the hero with the vital strike that handed the Flames a spot at the second round.
A spirited first half performance from the Chadians saw them score thrice, powering them to the brink of qualification. They unsettled their visitors with surging runs upfront in the opening minutes.
On the quarter-hour mark, burly striker Ezekiel N’douassel broke the deadlock before Ninga Kasimi doubled the lead two minutes later. Nine minutes from half time, N’douassel scored the third goal and shot Les Sao up 3-2 on aggregate.
However, the Malawians bounced back in style in the second half and Mhango scored against the run of play on the hour mark.
The goal meant Chad had to score at least a goal to complete a historic comeback, but the Malawian defence thwarted all their efforts at goal.
The Flames, which last qualified for the flagship Africa Cup of Nations four years ago in Angola, will face the winner of Benin/Sao Tome e Principe at the next round.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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