SOCCER:Samatta saves Stars faces against Flames

The national team, Taifa Stars, were forced to a one-all draw by Malawi’s Flames during their friendly match at Kirumba Stadium yesterday.

Malawi took the lead through Mucium Mhone in the third minute, pegging Stars behind throughout the first half.

However, Stars took the second half energetically and managed to restore parity in the 78th minute through Mbwana Samatta.

Besides eying Fifa rankings, the match was meant to prepare the team ahead of the 2015 Cosafa Cup planned to kickoff in May in South Africa.

Stars kicked off the match brightly, but poor positioning by defenders saw the visitors take the lead from a set pace.

After the goal, Stars, who were cheered by thousands of supporters, looked dangerous on the breaks, but found it difficult to place the ball home.

Samatta and Thomas Ulimwengu had a fair share of chances, but their precision in the area was wanting. After an onslaught on the Malawi goal, Amri Kiemba attempted a stupendous long range shot in the 15th minute, but it went slightly wide.

In the 20th minute, Samatta, the TP Mazembe man, set up Haroun Chanongo on the left flank, but the latter’s cross was blasted wide by Shomari Kapombe.

Taifa Stars had four fruitless corners until the half-hour mark. Malawi had one and made the most out of it.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes of the half, Stars were on course for the equaliser, but Malawi shot-stopper Harawa rescued his side by denying Kapombe, Samatta and Chanongo. A few minute later, Kapombe’s short pass was intercepted by Kamwendo and captain Nadir Haroub had to come to the rescue of Stars with a clearance that ended up in Malawi’s second corner. Both sides created a few chances before the breather, but they were the Flames who went to the dressing rooms with the lead.

Malawi kicked off the second half strongly, but Stars regained their poise shortly. Two minutes after restart, Nyoni’s well taken free kick was headed slightly wide by Samatta.

On the hour mark, Samatta had a solo move past a village of Malawi defenders, but his final shot went slightly off target for a goal kick.

Then came the moment of truth, when Mrisho Ngassa, who replaced Chanongo, delivered a superb pass that Samatta fired home. Stars continued to press the Malawian backline, but the defenders could not lose their concentration to the final whistle.

Taifa Stars:: Mwadini, Shomari Kapombe, Joshua, Haroub, Aggrey Morris, Erasto Nyoni, Amri Kiemba, Mwinyi Kazimoto, Haroun Chanongo, Mbwana Samatta, Thomas Ulimwengu.

The Flames: Harawa, Kamwendo, Nyirenda, Mzava, Kaira, Mulimbika, Lanjes, Banda, Mhone, Nadabwa, Kanyenda.