Paul Katema, Jackson Mwanza, Mulenga Mukuka, Jimmy Ndhlovu.
Malawi XI: Charles Swini, John Lanjesi, Yamikani Fodya, Luckly Malata, Zicco Mkanda, John Banda, Tizgobele Kumwenda, Chimango Kayira, Lambikani Mzava, Miciam Mhone, Gerald Phiri.
Referee: Norman Matemera (Zimbabwe); 1st Asst: Akhtar Rossaye (Mauritius); 2nd Asst: Arsenio Marengula (Mozambique); 4th Official: Hamada Nampiandraza (Madagascar).
– A late replacement for Malawi as goalkeeper McDonard Harawa is out with illness and is replaced by Charles Swini!
– Upfront, Tizgobele Kumwenda has received the nod ahead of Muhammad Sulumba to partner Zicco Mkanda. Zambia coach Honour Janza has maintained most players from the line up that saw off Ghana 3-0 in Wednesday’s semifinal at the same venue.
– Malawi coach Young Chimodzi is also back after missing the win over South Africa in the semifinal on Wednesday through an illness.
1′ – We are under way in the Plate Final!
2′ – Free kick for Malawi as Allan Mukuka fouls Chimang Kayira.
2′ – Donashano Malama fails to take a throw in from the right as ball slips from his palms.
4′ – Tizgobele Kumwenda fouls Christopher Munthali to earn Zambia a free-kick in their own half. Malawi get the ball back after Munthali’s long free kick.
6′ – Emmanuel Mbola’s attempted cross from the left goes wide.
10′ – Christopher Munthali miscalculated his long pass which goes straight to ‘keeper Swini of Malawi.
12′ – Yellow card to Lucky Malata as he fouls Jackson Mwanza.
16′ – Free-kick for Zambia as Zicco Mkanda fouls Mulenga Mukuka. Paul Katema takes it to the right wing and ball goes out for Zambia throw in.
18′ – Kondwani Mtonga misplaces pass while trying to pick out a team mate near Malawi corner flag.
20′ – Corner for Zambia as Jimmy Ndhlovu deflects his goal-bound shot on Malata. Malama takes it from right, but Gerald Phiri clears it forward.
23′ – Zambia corner as John Lanjesi blocks the ball out from Allan Mukuka’s shot. Mzava clears it.
28′ – Malawi’s Micium Mhone fires stinging shot which Kennedy Mweene punches out for a corner kick. Gerald Phiri takes it from the left, but Malawi players fail to head on target.
30′ – Mukuka Mulenga glances header marginally wide as Malawi survive scare.
32′ – Zambia Sub: Kennedy Mudenda replaces Mukuka Mulenga.
33′ – Corner for Zambia after Malawi players fail to defend a throw in. Allan Mukuka takes it from the right but Swini makes a save and whistle blown.
34′ – Zicco Mkanda goes to his knees with an injury on his own. He is taken off pitch for treatment.
36′ – Free kick for Malawi. Malama fouls Mhone to earn a yellow card. Phiri takes free kick, but Zambia clear ball out for corner kick. Phiri takes corner from the left but Lanjesi’s shot blocked.
38′ – Zambia corner. Allan Mukuka’s shot blocked by Kayira. Mwanza takes it, but Gerald Phiri heads it away.
42′ – Malama fails to clear high ball from Phiri as Malawi get a throw in. Malawi have dominated but no goal yet.
HALFTIME: No goals yet in our Plate Final but Malawi have had the better of the chances.
46′ – Second half is under way, let’s hope for goals!
47′ – Tizgobele Kumwenda fails to head into the net a cross from John Banda on the right. Wasteful.
49′ – Allan Mukuka attacks on the right but drags his shot into the side-netting.
50′ – Jackson Mwanza whips a ball wide of Charles Swini goal. Zambia attack blunt.
52′ – Phiri sends a long free-kick, but Lucky Malata cannot connect his header and the ball goes out.
53′ – Yamikani Fodya clears dangerous ball from the wing on the right but Paul Katema’s shot is blocked.
54′ – Malama overlaps on the right, crosses the ball and Fodya produces diving header to clear the ball for throw in of Zambia.
55′ – Malawi free-kick as Allan Mukuka fouls Chimang0 Kayira. Zambia deal with long ball.
56. – Zambia corner as John Lanjesi kicks ball out for Zambia corner. Mwanza takes it but Mkanda heads ball to safety.
59′ – GOAL! Zicco Mkanda scores after Kennedy Mweene miss-kicks ball!
60′ – Malawi sub: Micium Mhone comes out for Frank Banda.
62′ – Malawi sub: Tizgobele Kumwenda out for Robin Ngalande.
63′ – Jackson Mwanza heads wide a cross from Malama on the right.
65′ – Red card for Malawi’s captain Lucky Malata after picking second yellow for fouling Jackson Mwanza.
69′ – Malawi Sub: Bashir Maunde comes on for Robin Ngalande, who had come on for Kumwenda.
73′ – Corner for Zambia taken by Mwanza after Mzava clearance. Kondwani Mtonga cannot get his header right.
74′ – RED CARD! Zambia’s Donashano Malama picked a second yellow for bringing down Frank Banda wide on the left wing. Malama is still receiving treatment though!
79′ - Jackson Mwanda jumps but his header is poor and cannot trouble Swini. Frank Banda still clutching his nose and goes out for treatment after he was earlier fouled by Malama.
83′ – Zambia win corner on the left after Fodya had blocked ball. Zambia fail to use ball wisely. Malawi hold on to slender lead.
85′ – Five to go now and Malawi hold form. Zambia are pushing for an equaliser, but have not found the right touch yet.
88′ – Zambia corner by Mwanza. Munthali heads wide as Malawi hold on.
FULLTIME: Malawi have done it, they claim the Plate title and can look back on a fabulous tournament!
