Flames went into Saturday’s match against Ivory Coast without regular injured full backs Elvis Kafoteka, Moses Chavula and suspended midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula

Flames went into Saturday’s match against Ivory Coast without regular injured full backs Elvis Kafoteka, Moses Chavula and suspended midfielder Hellings Mwakasungula.

Questions were raised on whether coach Kinnah Phiri would be able to find effective replacements for the trio in the build up to the match against a star-studded Ivorian side.

But Kinnah proved his tactical acumen when he neatly knit a side that pushed the Africa’s most highly ranked team left, right and centre.

Many a soccer pundits might have been scratching their heads in search of an answer on why Kinnah had given the holding midfielder’s Mwakasungula role to Carara Kicks Jacob Ngwira.

The former Escom United man has usually come under heavy criticism by for being slow and his usual habit of giving away balls unnecessarily.

In the opening 20 minutes Ngwira was really out of the game as he could not provide the necessary cover for the four-man defence of Allan Kamanga, Peter Mponda and James Sangala.

Tragedy could have befallen Malawi when Ngwira dilly-dallied to mark Ivory Coast marksman Salomon Kalou deep in the penalty box. But Flames captain Peter Mponda was handy to put contain the Chelsea forward.

But as the match wore on, Ngwira recovered to find his position into the game. He was always on guard to thwart Sevilla’s midfielder Didier Zokora’s threats.

His most memorable moment and for Malawi was when his header saw Flames taking the lead in the second half.

Red Lions star Davie Banda was another surprise inclusion in the starting line-up after his shoddy perfomance in Malawi’s victory over Guinea last month.

The only chance was that he was pushed in central midfield replacing Joseph Kamwendo who was deployed on the left wing where Chavula played against Guinea.

Unlike Ngwira, Davie Banda walked into the pitch to make early amends from his Guinea match nightmare.

Playing in central midfield, Banda produced a couple of brilliant passes and good movements. He was unlucky not to see his efforts transforming into at least a goal.

He kept the momentum by remaining at the heart of the attacking moves until deep in the second half when he was substituted for Robert Ng’ambi.

The Flames had been in camp for about a month but it was only a week ago when Kinnah decided to make a last minute call up for Escom United experienced defender Maupo Msowoya.

Maupo made it straight into the back four featuring on the left. Despite his height disadvantage, Maupo won almost all the high balls.

He made a number of good tackled against Emmanuel Eboue, who was overlapping frequently.

His superb perfomance would probably entice Kinnah to involve him in the remaining match against Burkina Faso.

MTL Wanderers star Victor Nyirenda paired with Russell Mwafulirwa upfront, another surprise in the first team.

But with his physical presence, he gave the Ivorian defence a tough tussle when Malawi was attacking.

Kinnah praised the ‘new’ boys for their role saying they proved his tactics right.

“Jacob was brilliant, Maupo was on top of his game, Davie was prolific and Victor I would say was the best player today after Joseph Kamwendo,” he said.

The inclusion of the “new boys” in the starting line up brushed off Malawi’s fragile hopes of success, but in the end their input made the nation proud.