By Tione Andsen

Lilongwe, June 6, Mana: Malawi National Team, the Flames Thursday posted a second win in Group H of World Cup qualifiers after beating Sao Tome 3-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Area 48, Lilongwe before a sizeable crowd.

Flames first won their opening game against Liberia 1-0 in Monrovia before suffering a home defeat against Group H leaders, Tunisia 0-1 in Lilongwe.

Malawi has six points from three games. third on the log with Tunisia on top with nine points while Namibia are second with seven points

On Wednesday Namibia and Liberia settled for a 1-1 draw in Windhoek.

Flames went into lead barely five minutes into the game, when Chawanangwa Kaonga rounded off Sao Tome central defender, Adjakson Ramos before slotting the ball home after receiving an inviting pass from Chifundo Mphasi.

Four minutes later, Malawi could have stretched the lead but Robert Saizi’s effort was saved by Sao Tome goalkeeper, Pedro Mateus.

Flames left winger, Langesi Nkhoma made it 2-0 after 13 minutes when Sao Tome goalkeeper, Mateus had fumbled Mphasi’s powerful shot.

Two minutes later, Sao Tome nearly pulled one back when defender, Ronaldo Afonso header was brilliantly saved by Flames custodian George Chikooka, in his maiden call up.

Flames coach, Patrick Mabedi was forced to rest injured Saizi for Patrick Mwaungulu in the 34th minute then three minutes later Sao Tome introduced Mauro Vilhete for Nuno Malheiro.

With three minutes to break, Substitute Mwaungulu could have put his name on the score sheet when his effort went begging after being put through by Chimwemwe Idana.

Both teams went into recess with Malawi leading 2-0 to the excitement of the partisan crowd at the stadium.

The second half saw a changed Sao Tome side and they were able to control the ball and started penetrating into the flames half which saw their defender, Ramos heading over the bar from a corner kick after 50 minutes.

Idana had his long range effort went wide after brilliant inter passes which involved Mphasi, Nkhoma and Tatenda M’balaka.

On hour mark, Mphasi connected Nkhoma’s cross but his connection hit the upright when Sao Tome goalkeeper, Mateus was completely beaten.

Both teams made substitution, Nkhoma went out for Wisdom Mpinganjira while the visitors brought in Sergio Male for Rogerio Fernandes after 64 minutes.

Sao Tome pulled one back in the 66th minute when S8 hard and low drive went past Flames Custodian, Chikooka to make 2-1.

Malawi came twice in the 71st and 75th minutes respectively when Mpinganjira blasted over the bar and Mphasi had his shot from close range saved goalkeeper, Mateus.

With only 13 minutes to regulation time, Mphasi increased the lead to 3-1 after being put through by Kaonga.

The was triple changes for Sao Tome in the 83rd minute when they brought in Joao Silva, Edmilson Viegas, Elias Varela for Ramos, Adjeil Neves and Ebanilson Viegas and Malawi rested Kaonga, Mphasi, Idana for Henri Kumwenda, Zeliat Nkhoma and Chikondi Kamanga.   

Flames coach, Mabedi thanked Flames supporters for supporting the team throughout the game saying they played their role effectively.

“We started very slow but it was pleasing that we managed to score early goals. We could have score more goals in this game,” he said.

“Malawi is a very strong team. We had 10 percent chances of winning the game before kickoff but during we dropped to two percent and we gave away quick goals,” Sao Tome coach, Ricardo Monsanto said.

He said his charges played well in the last 75 minutes but Malawi was good in their counter attacks.

Malawi National Team will face Equatorial Guinea in Malabo on Tuesday in their fourth Group H encounter.