Malawi and Rwanda emerged tops from penalties to seal their places at the final round of the qualifying series for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015.
The two sides overturned results from the first leg before wrapping up the tie via kicks from the spot.
In both cases, it was courtesy the heroic performances of their goalkeepers, McDonald Harawa for Malawi and Jean Luc Ndayishimiye of Rwanda, that powered them through to the group phase at the expense of Benin and Congo.
In Blantyre, John Banda’s first half strike forced the game into penalties after a 1-1 tie. Harawa, who plays for local side Moyale Barracks FC denied Benin captain Stephane Sessgnon and Abdoul Khaled Adenon from the spot whilst Joseph Kamwendo, Chiukepo Msowaya, Limbikani Mzava and Lucky Malata converted their kicks to earn the Flames a 4-3 victory.
Elsewhere in Kigali, a spectacular second half performance from the Amavubis gifted the Amavubis a 2-0 win over Congo. Michel Ndahinduka broke the deadlock on 52 minutes before Meddie Kagere capitalized on a defensive lapse by the visitors to score the second goal seven minutes and take the game to penalties after a 2-2 tie.
Ndayishimiye saved three kicks by the Congolese – Ferebory Dore Mael, Francis Lepicier and Herman Lakolop whilst James Tubane, Jimmy Mbaraga, Emery Bayisenge and Patrick Sibomana scored for the Amavubis to cruise to a 4-3 win.
In Bissau, a late equalizer by striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane earned Botswana a 1-1 draw against hosts Guinea Bissau, who went up after 16 minutes through Faty Seidi. The result was enough to earn the Zebras of Malawi passage into the next round 3-1 on aggregate.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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