By Draxon Maloya
The Malawi National Football Team, the Flames, made a resounding statement on Saturday, crushing Comoros 4-0 on aggregate in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) playoffs.
The last of the two-legged tie, played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, witnessed Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji score crucial goals in the second half, sending the sizeable crowd into a frenzy.
But the real showstopper was Wisdom Mpinganjira, the youthful and enterprising midfielder who left the Comoros defence in tatters.
Mpinganjira’s lightning-fast runs and dazzling dribbling skills earned him a whopping 11 fouls, leaving the opposition bewildered. His performance has sent a clear message for his 2025 soccer season: ‘matimu atamanga’ (the heat is on)!
The Flames’ dominant display which generated significant revenue, with gate collections totalling K34 million has propelled them to the second round of the CHAN playoffs, where they’ll face either South Africa or Egypt.
This thrilling win means, Malawi has taken a significant step towards qualifying for the CHAN finals, a feat they’ve yet to achieve since the tournament’s inception in 2007.
As the Flames continue their quest for CHAN glory, one thing is certain: Wisdom Mpinganjira is now among the names to watch out for in the world of Malawian football.
