Gerald Phiri Jr's solitary goal helped Malawi overcome Swaziland 1-0 in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at the Kamuza Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday afternoon.

The Flames of Malawi went into the encounter hoping to end a failed qualifying campaign with a victory at home.

Swaziland's Sihlangu Semnikati were gunning for a victory in order to stay in with a good chance of qualifying for next year's Afcon finals.

It took only eight minutes for Phiri Jr to put the home side into the lead with a well-taken free-kick - making it 1-0 to Malawi.

Sihlangu Semnikati tried to push for an equalising goal - forcing several corner-kicks towards the halftime break.

However, Swaziland could not beat Charles Swini in the Malawi goal-posts in the first half and the Flames were leading 1-0 at halftime.

Malawi coach Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo decided to introduce Stanley Sanudi in the place of Steven Chagoma at the beginning of the second half.

The home side had a free-kick in a promising area on the half-hour mark, but they failed to hit the back of the net from the set-piece.

Goalkeeper Swini went down injured in the late stages of the game as Swaziland looked to snatch a goal before the game ended.

Malawi managed to contain Swaziland in the dying minutes of the Group L encounter and ultimately, the former emerged 1-0 winners.

Malawi (1) 1 (Phiri Jr 8')

Swaziland (0) 0

Malawi: Swini, Mzava, Chagoma, Gabeya, Mlimbika, Banda, Ng'ambi, Phiri Jr, Kayira, Simkonda, Mhango

Swaziland: Gwebu, Mabila, Mkhweli, Palma, Malambe, Mdluli, Nhleko, Tsabedze, Mkhontfo, Lukhele, Badenhorst