hesitant defending and supplied a poacher's finish. Malawi beat Zimbabwe 2–1 to boost their hopes of a first-ever appearance in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations The team received a boost ahead of their final group B game against Senegal, with all players and coaching staff including Marinica testing COVID negative. He made three changes to the side that defeated Zimbabwe a few days prior, with Charles Thomu making his full debut in goal in place of Ernest Kakhobwe who was ill with malaria, Micium Mhone returned for Richard Mbulu whilst Lawrence Chaziya replaced Limbikani Mzava who sustained a hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe game. Marinica chose to start with four attacking players against a full strength Senegal side featuring stars Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, Idrissa Gueye and Kalidou Koulibaly who struggled to convince in a goalless draw. Malawi just needed a goal to win the game and the group, and were initially awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, which was subsequently overturned by VAR. Debutant goalie Charles Thomu won the Man of the Match award for some sharp saves. BBC Sport Africa's Salim Masoud Said wrote "Mario Marinica only had a few weeks to prepare his Malawi team. Based on their first half you may think Aliou Cisse is the one who has had weeks, not years, to prepare Senegal." The result was sufficient for Malawi to reach the last 16 for the first time, where they would face Group C winners Morocco on 25 January in Yaounde. Last 16 (Morocco) Morocco came into the game ranked 28th in the world, 101 places above the Flames, and unbeaten in 30 matches, including 21 clean sheets. Marinica named an unchanged starting line-up against a Morocco side replete with European-based players. Malawi took a shock lead thanks to a 7th minute wonderstrike from Gabadinho Mhango. The Guardian described the goal thus "A goal for the ages! Chirwa plays a ball down the left channel for Mhango, who has his back to goal, 30 to 35 yards out. He turns infield, spots the keeper off his line, and whips a huge dipping curler into the top right from silly distance! Bono wasn’t even too far out; he was on the edge of his six-yard box when he was beaten. Unstoppable! Unstoppable from 35 yards!" With two minutes of added time to the break Youssef En-Nesyri equalised when he