Malawi beat inept Namibia

The Brave Warriors’ new look squad gave an inept performance as they were soundly beaten 3-1 by Malawi in an international friendly on Wednesday evening.

Atusaye Nyondo put Malawi ahead with a free header on 29 minutes, while Robert Ng’ambi made it 2-0 with a freekick just before half-time. Tulongeni Tuyeni pulled a goal back for Namibia shortly after halftime, but Hellings Mwakasungula secured Malawi’s victory when he headed in from a goalmouth scramble in the 60th minute.It was the first time that coach Arie Schans was at the helm of Namibia on home soil, while it was also the first time that Malawi had beaten Namibia in seven attempts.The match served as preparation for the African Nations Championship tournament which starts at the beginning of May, and Schans used the opportunity to field several new players.Steven Goaxab, Bradley Wermann, Marco van Wyk, Jerome Louis, Eusebio Fredericks and Max Mbaeva all made their debuts for the Brave Warriors, but Namibia’s inexperience and lack of communication showed as Malawi took the match to their hosts.With Robert Ng’ambi and Limbani Dzinkambani combining well in midfield, and Russel Mwafulirwa putting in strong runs down the right wing, chances started coming Malawi’s way and they didn’t have to wait long before opening their account.Mwafulirwa forced a corner after another fine run and when the rebound was lobbed back into the box, Nyondo was left unmarked to head the ball past a stranded Mbaha.Malawi continued to surge ahead and increased their lead on 44 minutes after a fine tactical goal.Robert Ng’ambi shot a freekick straight at team mate Russel Mwafulirwa in the box, who sold a dummie on Michael Pienaar as the ball flew into the net.Namibia came out attacking in the second half and opened their account on 52 minutes when Tulongeni Tuyeni scored after a fine buildup between Steve Goaxab and Tara Katupose.Katupose put in some strong runs down the right wing and second half substitute Jerome Louis and Brian Brendell both narrowly missed latching on to crosses into the box.But it was Malawi who went 3-1 up in the 60th minute when Hellings Mwakasungula rose high to head a centre into the goal.Bradley Werman and Jerome Louis created some chances with fine dribbling skills, while Brian Brendell put in some strong runs into the box, but Namibia could not penetrate Malawi’s defence.In the final minute, Malawi’s Malumbo Mkandawire dribbled right through into the box, but Namibia’s substitute goalie Max Mbaeva saved bravely at his feet.Schans was not impressed with his team’s performance and said that a lot of work still needs to be done.”We didn’t play well at all in the first half and no one impressed me.Maybe the players were still struggling to adapt to my new system.Things went a bit better in the second half when we started creating some chances, but on the whole it was not up to standard.But we used a lot of new players in preparation or the upcoming African Nations Championship match against Zimbabwe and they need to adapt to our playing style,” he said.Namibia SportTulongeni Tuyeni pulled a goal back for Namibia shortly after halftime, but Hellings Mwakasungula secured Malawi’s victory when he headed in from a goalmouth scramble in the 60th minute.It was the first time that coach Arie Schans was at the helm of Namibia on home soil, while it was also the first time that Malawi had beaten Namibia in seven attempts.The match served as preparation for the African Nations Championship tournament which starts at the beginning of May, and Schans used the opportunity to field several new players.Steven Goaxab, Bradley Wermann, Marco van Wyk, Jerome Louis, Eusebio Fredericks and Max Mbaeva all made their debuts for the Brave Warriors, but Namibia’s inexperience and lack of communication showed as Malawi took the match to their hosts.With Robert Ng’ambi and Limbani Dzinkambani combining well in midfield, and Russel Mwafulirwa putting in strong runs down the right wing, chances started coming Malawi’s way and they didn’t have to wait long before opening their account.Mwafulirwa forced a corner after another fine run and when the rebound was lobbed back into the box, Nyondo was left unmarked to head the ball past a stranded Mbaha.Malawi continued to surge ahead and increased their lead on 44 minutes after a fine tactical goal.Robert Ng’ambi shot a freekick straight at team mate Russel Mwafulirwa in the box, who sold a dummie on Michael Pienaar as the ball flew into the net.Namibia came out attacking in the second half and opened their account on 52 minutes when Tulongeni Tuyeni scored after a fine buildup between Steve Goaxab and Tara Katupose.Katupose put in some strong runs down the right wing and second half substitute Jerome Louis and Brian Brendell both narrowly missed latching on to crosses into the box.But it was Malawi who went 3-1 up in the 60th minute when Hellings Mwakasungula rose high to head a centre into the goal.Bradley Werman and Jerome Louis created some chances with fine dribbling skills, while Brian Brendell put in some strong runs into the box, but Namibia could not penetrate Malawi’s defence.In the final minute, Malawi’s Malumbo Mkandawire dribbled right through into the box, but Namibia’s substitute goalie Max Mbaeva saved bravely at his feet.Schans was not impressed with his team’s performance and said that a lot of work still needs to be done.”We didn’t play well at all in the first half and no one impressed me.Maybe the players were still struggling to adapt to my new system.Things went a bit better in the second half when we started creating some chances, but on the whole it was not up to standard.But we used a lot of new players in preparation or the upcoming African Nations Championship match against Zimbabwe and they need to adapt to our playing style,” he said.Namibia Sport