MALAWI 2 GUINEA 1

In the video: Chiukepo Msowoya’s wonder strike when Malawi “upset” Egypt 1-0. He is the one who scored both goals today after coming in as a substitute. Thanks Msowoya for making my day. This is my 100th post (will give a list of all 100 posts in the next post).

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In the picture: Chiukepo “Super-sub” Msowoya celebrating his second goal.

Chiukepo Msowoya is Malawi’s top goal scorer but has been coming in as a substitute for quite some time. With the retirement of Esau Kanyenda (Seems he unretired. He was on the bench today), almost everyone expected him to start today. However, Kinnah gambled (seems he knew what he was doing) again today by starting Chiukepo Msowoya on the bench. Lucky enough the gamble paid off.

At half time Guinea were up 1-0 through a 38th minute goal by Oumar Kalabane (In Picture). Chiukepo was introduced in the 46th minute and scored the first goal seconds after coming in. He went on to score the winning goal 12 minutes later to the delight of victory starved home crowd. It was a game of two halves. The first half belonged to Guinea. It seems after scoring their goal they lost the plot. Instead of keeping on attacking they started defending and thereby conceding too many free kicks.
Set pieces are hard to defend. Ask Liverpool

If both Malawi and Guinea lose the next two games then Guinea will likely make it to Angola because of Goal Difference (GD). However, let’s not put the cart before the horse because Ivory Coast will host Guinea on November 11, 2009. At home, Ivory Coast like to dish out 5s to minnows. On June 3, 2007 they beat Madagascar 5-0 in a qualifying game for the 2008 African Cup of Nations. On March 29, 2009 they beat Malawi 5-0 at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan during their World Cup 2010 and African Nations Cup qualifying football match. Nevertheless, Malawi should not depend on Drogba and Ivory Coast to do them a favour/favor. Malawi should aim on beating (yes we can) Ivory Coast at Kamuzu Stadium on October 10, 2009 because the next day Guinea will host Burkina Faso. I am sure Guinea will collect at least a point against Burkina Faso. If Burkina Faso will lose or draw in Guinea then their last game against Malawi on November 11, 2009 will be a do or die for them. So, chances of Malawi getting at least a point in Burkina Faso will be very slim. Malawi better make hay while the sun still shines.

P/S: Ivory Coast just beat Burkina Faso 5-0
It’s safe to say that Ivory Coast have qualified for the World Cup 2010. Group E’s second and third positions are now up for grabs. In other words, both Malawi and Guinea can make it to Angola depending on the results of the remaining games. If both Malawi and Guinea will beat Burkina Faso then the 3 teams will be tied at 6 points each (i.e. assuming Ivory Coast will beat Malawi and Guinea).

HOW THEY STAND

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