June 07, (THEWILL) – Malawi reignited their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with a comprehensive 3-1 victory, over Sao Tome e Principe in their Group H qualifier in Lilongwe, on Thursday.
The Flames had endured a slow start to their campaign but burst into life thanks to goals from Kaonga Chawanangwa, Nkhoma Lanjesi and Mphasi Chifundo.
Chawanangwa set Malawi on their way after just six minutes, calmly slotting home after being played through on goal. Lanjesi doubled the lead eight minutes later, rifling a low drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Sao Tome briefly threatened a comeback when Silva Denilson reduced the arrears in the 67th minute.
However, any Sao Tomean hopes were extinguished 11 minutes from time as Chifundo restored Malawi’s two-goal cushion with a neat finish. The result moves the Flames up to third in Group H on six points, one behind second-placed Namibia who drew 1-1 with leaders Tunisia.
For Sao Tome, the defeat leaves them rooted to the bottom without a point from their opening three matches. With a crucial clash against Equatorial Guinea looming on Monday, Malawi have reignited their 2026 World Cup dream.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
