Tom Saintfiet laments Malawi’s 2013 Cosafa Cup quarterfinal exit on penalty shootouts.
Ten-man Malawi missed three spot-kicks to lose 3-1 on post-match penalties to defending Cosafa Cup champions Zimbabwe in their last eight game played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on July 13.
Saintfiet insists Malawi could have won the match despite their player deficit on the day and snatching a late equalizer in the 87th minute via an own-goal from Zimbabwe goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu.
“It’s very terrible to see a beautiful game destroyed with penalties,” Saintfiet said.
Bongani Kaipa fired his penalty wide while Gaston Simukonda and John Langesi’s spot-kicks were saved.
“I have no problems with losing on kicking penalties but if you don?t hit the target even the goalkeeper will go on holiday,” the Belgian said.
“If you miss three of the four penalties we took, that is unacceptable.
“It gave a dark shadow on a fantastic second half.”
Saintfiet however admitted that luck plays its part in such situations.
“With a little bit of luck we could have won this match but I am disappointed,” Saintfiet said.
Meanwhile, Malawi loss has been rewarded with a shot at winning the Plate event where they await the loser of Sunday?s quarterfinal match between Lesotho and Angola whom they will face in the semifinals on July 16.
