Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata could not believe his eyes as the Pharaohs went down 1-0 to soccer minnows Malawi Flames in a joint Africa Cup of Nation, World Cup qualifier in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre. From the start, Malawi looked eager for a historic win with their waves of attacks. However, the Egyptians will have their goalkeeper El-Hadary to thank because it was his spectacular saves that kept the scoreline low. The game looked like it would end in a goalless draw but substitute Chiukepo Msowoya broke the deadlock with his stunning goal in the very last minute of added time. “Malawi played a better game, that’s all I can say,” said a shell-shocked Shehata. Malawi’s coach Kinna Phiri said his players deserved the win. “The Flames played classy football,” he said. “We should have beaten the Pharaohs by a wide margin.” Malawi opened their Group 12 Africa Cup of Nation and World Cup campaign by hitt ing Djibouti 8-1 before going down to the DR Congo 0-1.
