US-based Malawian youngster Adriel Kaduya was the hero of the day when he scored for Malawi Under-20 National Football Team to salvage a 2-1 victory over Comoros on Sunday in the Cosafa Under-20 CAF qualifiers in Maputo, Mozambique.
He scored in the 10th minute, but Comoros, who edged out Lesotho 1-0 in their opening match, equalised in the 26th minute.
The victory has revived Malawi’s hopes of going far in the competition having lost their first match 5-0 to eight-time champions South Africa of Friday.
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) competition also doubles as qualifiers for Confederation Africa Football (CAF) qualifiers.
Kaduya capped up a memorable day with man-of the match award.
Malawi played with nine-players after goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi and defender Edward Thengo were red-carded in either half, decisions which did not go down well with Malawian officials.
Kamwambi was sent for an early shower in additional time of the first half after he was adjudged to have fouled a Comoros player as he attempted to clear the ball.
While Thengo saw red for delaying the restart of late in the match in what was deemed to unfair decision.
Kaduya restored Malawi’s lead in the 77th minute and Comoros efforts to come back into match was unsuccessful as the Junior Flames held their nerves.
Malawi coach Bob Mpinganjira breathed a sigh of relief, saying the victory has make their life easier in their Match Day Three on Tuesday against bottom of the group team Lesotho.
“It is an important result considering that we lost our first match against South Africa with a wide margin. We will approach the match against Lesotho with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
