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Ethiopia Walia Ibex suffered their second loss in a row as Atusaye Nyondo’s brace sealed their hopes  as they fell 3-2 to host Malawi Flames in a five goal thriller in an Afcon 2015 qualifer on Wednesday at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Mariano Barreto made only one change the team that lost to Algeria over the weekend bringing on Birhanu Bogale in the starting team.

Malawi Flames who lost 2-0 to Mali over the weekend  came into the game firing from all cylinders after being bruised and it was Atusaye Nyondo who broke the deadlock with a beautiful goal past Jemal Tessaw in the 18th minute.

The goal seemed to inspire on Ethiopia as coach Mariano Barreto rung on changes in the first half bringing on Getaneh Kebede for ineffective Taddele Mengesha and the gamble quickly paid off as Getaneh Kebede drew Ethiopia Level with a fine shot past Malawi keeper Harawa for the scores to stand at 1-1 at half time.

However the second half proved the ice breaker as two minutes of pure madness led to Malawi scoring two quick goals after defensive lapse .Frank Banda put Malawi ahead in the 63rd minute before Atusaye Nyondo grabbed his brace in the 66th minute in what looked like ending any hopes of an Ethiopian comeback.

Substitute Yusuf Saleh scored the consolation goal for Ethiopia deep in injury time but it was too late as Ethiopia Walia fell 3-2 at the hands of Malawi in what was an intriguing and exciting game.

The loss was the second for Ethiopia in two matches so far played and a dissapointed to many fans who had hoped for a win.Ethiopia needs to win their remaining 4 matches to recover from the losses that have definitely affected their hopes of reaching the Afcon 2015 qualifers in Morrocco.

Malawi Starting 11:Harawa,Nyirenda,lanjesi,Malata,Mulimbika,Kayira,Kamwendo,Ngambi,Ngalande,Mhango and Atusaye Nyondo.

Ethiopia Starting 11:Jemal Tessaw ,Alula Girma,Thok James,Salhadin Bargecho,Birhanu Bogale,Natnael Zeleke,Tadele Mengesha,Shemeles Bekele,Adane Girma,Salhadin Said and Umed Ukuri

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com