Aliou Cissé keeps perfect unbeaten start with Angola after Malawi win

Aliou Cissé maintained his unbeaten start as Angola coach as the Palancas Negras defeated Malawi 3-1 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.

The victory was Cissé’s second since taking charge of Angola and moved his side to four points from their opening two matches in Group B.

Angola made a fast start at home, taking the lead after only two minutes through Milson.

The early goal gave the hosts control of the match, although Malawi managed to stay in the contest for much of the first half.

Angola eventually doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time when Mabululu found the net in the 38th minute.

Malawi responded soon after the restart, with Angola defender Kialonda Gaspar scoring an own goal in the 47th minute to reduce the deficit.

The visitors’ goal offered them a route back into the match, but Angola remained composed and restored their two-goal advantage in the 70th minute.

Miro scored the third goal to secure another victory for Cissé’s side and continue their strong beginning to the qualifying campaign.

Angola had started their campaign with a 0-0 draw away to Egypt on 25 September. The result against Mohamed Salah’s side had given Cissé a positive opening to his time in charge of the Palancas Negras.

The Malawi victory means Angola now have four points from two matches.

Cissé’s overall record since taking over the national team is also unbeaten. In his first four matches as Angola coach, the Senegalese has recorded two victories and two draws.

During that period, Angola have scored seven goals and conceded two.

The results have given Cissé an encouraging start as he looks to establish his ideas with the Angolan national team.

Angola currently sit level on four points with Egypt at the top of Group B following Tuesday’s victory.

The Palancas Negras will now have to wait until November for their next qualifying matches, when they face South Sudan twice.

The first meeting is scheduled for 11 November, with the return fixture taking place four days later on 15 November.

Those two matches will give Cissé and his players another opportunity to strengthen their position in the race to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

With four points from their opening two games and an unbeaten record under Cissé, Angola will enter the next round of fixtures with momentum behind them.