The Flames drew 1-1 against Ethiopia at a melting Dar Es Salaam's National Stadium yesterday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup.
The Flames are in the comfort zone and the group C's other match between East Africa rivals Uganda and Kenya on Sunday will be irrelevant. Kenya are without a point while Uganda have four just like Ethiopia.
In yesterday's match, for a third consecutive game the Flames were the first to go in front. The only change in this battle was the identity of the 27th minute scorer-Henry Kabichi.
The right winger blasted into the net a powerful direct free kick earned after a foul on dangerously advancing attacker Frank Banda in the 27th minute.
It was just a matter of time for the aggressive midfielder and you could see from his body language that he was hungry for a goal and when the MTL Wanderers talisman stepped backwards to gather momentum like a Boeing 701-700, he then pulled the trigger that silenced Ethiopia's many sympathizers.
Ethiopia should have seen this goal coming as earlier Victor Nyirenda hit the side-netting on the 22nd
Flames through to quarter final
minute in what was a direct response to Ethiopia's attacks on Malawi goal that had Shemeles Bekele's effort ruled off side.
Just has been the case in past two games, guarding the lead proved difficult for Malawi. Ethiopia did cancel the lead with Omod Okwury's powerful long range shot that caught goalkeeper Simplex Nthala flat on his feet after rare Flames' slack marking outside the 18-yard box.
For a moment coach Kinnah Phiri's gamble to relegate Amadu Ali to the bench seemed to backfire. But after break Malawi continued their defensive tactics and relied on counter attacks even though lone striker Victor Nyirenda's first touch and the supply seemed to affect the team.
Zasha Mnongoneza and Phillip Masiye had replaced Joseph Kachule and Kelvin Katemba after break then Kabichi too left the pitch for debutant Innocent Phiri.
Ethiopia continued to pile the pressure on the Flames even though they too should have gone ahead but Nyirenda's goal-bound weak shot was blocked off the line.
Ethiopia could have punished Malawi through substitute Adede Girma but the tall striker dragged his shot over Nthala and the bar after a long pass had eluded retreating captain Elvis Kafoteka in a counterattack.
Malawi held on to earn the vital point. If there are lessons from the group stages in which Malawi scored five and conceded four, then is the art of preserving the lead. Kinnah admitted this lesson.
"But that is not a big problem as there is a new central defensive partnership. The good thing is that we are able to score first. I am happy for the boys," said Kinnah while his Ethiopia counterpart Ifem Onura said their fate was no in their hands.
"We are now relying on Kenya to beat Uganda. A draw was a fair result under such hot conditions. Both us and Malawi deserve a quarter final place. Malawi dominated in the first half but we came back stronger," he said.