The Malawian coach has said his team suffered ‘bad luck’ after a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Ghana at the second leg African Cup of Nations qualifier in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Ghana’s young midfielder, Afriyie Acquah scored the winning goal two minutes into the first half, leaving the Flames of Malawi and their coach stunned and disorganised.
“We knew that they would attack us in the first half but I was surprised that we conceded so early in the match,” said Coach Kinnah Phiri.
“It was purely bad luck that we conceded that goal. I think we were better than them the way we played but we just could not create chances. It has happened and that’s football,” Kinnah said after the match.
A defensive lapse in the box, found an unmarked Acquah who tapped in a Christian Atsu ball from the left wing to douse the Flames’ dream of an upset against the Black Stars.
The lone goal puts Ghana ahead with a 3-0 aggregate against Malawi and into qualification for the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa. Ghana beat Malawi 2-0 in the first leg in Accra in September.
Ghana didn’t play well but stayed on top to the end of the game.
Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah told reporters after the game: “I am happy with the result. We did not play well but we managed to defend our goals and scored one here. It is a good result.”
Correspondents at the Civo Stadium in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe said the Flames had so many shots off target in the first half and the closet to a goal was twice when Joseph Kamwendo had a clear shot at goal nine minutes into the game.
Kamwendo was set up by Gabadinho Mhango who was making his debut for the Flames but his attempt was parried by Ghana keeper Adam Kwarasey.
By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi