Tweet me!| In front of a largely-deserted stadium, Algerian soccet teal, the 1990 winner struggled to create clear-cut chances against Malawi, whose only previous appearance at the Africa Cup finals was in 1984. Malawi beats Algeria 3 -0 in today's game. Making their first appearance in the competition for 26 years, Malawi comfortably beat the Desert Foxes, who will play England in the World Cup this summer. |
With nine European-based players in their starting line-up and the game kicking off in mid-afternoon, Algeria struggled in the stifling heat and gifted their opponents the opener.
Goals from Rusell Mwafulirwa, Elvis Bryson Kafoteka and Davi Banda steered Malawi to its first ever victory at the African Cup of Nations with a 3-0 win over World Cup qualifier Algeria in Group A on Monday.
Mwafulirwa opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a left-foot shot from a tight angle and Bryson Kafoteka increased the lead with a header in the 36th. Banda scored Malawi's third goal with a low shot in the 49th.
Malawi leads the group with three points. Host Angola and Mali, who drew 4-4 in the tournament's opening match on Sunday, have one point each.
"We know we are being treated as the underdogs," Malawi midfielder Josephy Kamwendo said. "We know we are playing against big teams but, like them, we are here to win."
Malawi coach Kinnah Phiri struck a note of caution, though, saying: "We have to try not to get carried away by this win."
"We didn't play well," Algeria coach Rabah Saadane said. "We still have a chance to progress but we need to play well against Mali."
Algeria's Mohamed Ghezzal had two opportunities inside the first five minutes, but Malawi goalkeeper Sanudi Swadick punched his first effort away at full stretch before his shot from 20 yards (meters) flew just wide.
Malawi went in front after Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi made a weak clearance, giving Mwafulirwa the easy task of tapping into an empty net, albeit from a difficult angle.
Rafik Saifi then had a chance to equalize for Algeria in the 23rd minute with a simple but perfect lob, only to see his attempt sail over the bar.
Kafoteka promptly doubled Malawi's lead with a bullet header from an inswinging cross from the left, again leaving Chaouchi stranded, while another Chaouchi error gave Banda his chance to put the game beyond any doubt.
Algeria, which is due to play England, the United States and Slovenia at the World Cup later this year, stepped up the pace in the second half but Malawi's defense denied Algeria's forwards any real space to attack.
Substitute Chiukepo Msowoya could even have added a fourth for Malawi in the 79th minute but his header narrowly missed the target.
"We did our best, but I think it was Malawi's first two goals that mattered," Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra said.
Algeria carved out a few half chances, but Malawi - with more Fifa ranking places than fans in the near empty November 11 stadium - looked more composed throughout.
Malawi now face hosts Angola on January 14, with Algeria playing Mali on the same day.
Cote d'Ivoire play Burkina Faso in Cabinda in the Group B match on Monday, while Ghana are left without a fixture after the departure of Togo.
The Togolese government ordered the players home after three of their party were killed when their bus was attacked by separatist fighters on Friday.
1 2 3 all to Malawi.
Algerianamericans.com - January. 11, 2010
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A little humility would have prevented the humiliation... “True humility is intelligent self respect which keeps us from thinking too highly or too meanly of ourselves. It makes us modest by reminding us how far we have come short of what we can be.” Ralph W. Sockman I just hope we will learn the lesson |
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