Malawi started on a positive note in the first leg of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after beating Tanzania 3-2 yesterday at Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima.

Played under a cool breeze on the beaches of Lake Malawi, the game was a close contest as both teams fought for supremacy.

The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute through Sandram Sadd. A minute later, Isaac Kajaam added the second.

But Tanzania pulled one back in the 34th minute through Goodluck Gama. Then the visitors levelled a minute later through enterprising Gama, whose ball caught Malawi goalkeeper Justine Bonongwe off guard.

But Kajaam ensured the hosts go to Tanzania for the return leg with an edge as he scored the winner in the 36th minute.

In a post-match interview, Malawi coach Willy Kumilambe gave credit to his players for the victory.

He said: “We struggled early on. The players were jittery and had problems settling. But gradually we settled and got better and scored the needed goals. But I don’t like blame games but their first goal was not supposed to stand. There was a handball and my players stopped playing, thinking the ref will call for a handball.”

On his part, Tanzania coach Boniphase Pawasa expressed discontent with some of the referee’s calls.

“First I have to congratulate Malawi for the win but for me there were a lot of things that happened on the ground that did not satisfy me. I was not happy with some of decisions that the referee made.

“The ground too was not big enough for us. We are used to play on ground with lots of heaps of sand. I am happy that we had no injuries, but we will sort Malawi out in Tanzania. We have seen their weaknesses and strengths. We will work on game plan,” he said.

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