Full Time
Malawi 1(Mary Mbalangwe 66′) -3 South Africa (Andielle Mibe 10′ 38′, Mabahle Mdelwa 41′, Khutso Mogano 84′)
The Malawi U17 Girls team on Thursday afternoon made their international debut on a bad note as they lost 1-4 to South Africa in the 2022 COSAFA U17 Girls’ Championship currently being played as part of the Region 5 Youth Games in Lilongwe.
Andielle Mibe put South Africa in the lead at 10 minutes before doubling the lead at 38 minutes. Mabahle Mdelwa scored another goal just four minutes to the end of the first half and South Africa were 3 goals up as Referee Linda Kekoban blew the whistle signaling the end of the first half.
The Junior Scorchers came in with a different approach in the second half as they attacked tin search of goals but Captain Rose Kabzere’s attempts proved futile.
Substitute Mary Mbalangwe was on target for Malawi just four minutes after her introduction before Khutso Mogano added another one for South Africa.
Speaking after the match Head Coach, Trevor Kajawa attributed the loss to fear among most of his girls.
Kajawa was however positive that the team will get stronger after being exposed to the international stage.
“The girls were nervous in the first half being their first International outing but after taking to them at half time, they showed some good character in the second half.
“We are building a good team for the Scorchers and going to the next game, we need to play with our lungs out so that we finish in Top two and make it to the Semifinals.
The team will on Monday next week face Namibia in their second and final group stage match.
In the boys competition, the Junior Flames will begin their TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Algeria 2023| COSAFA Qualifier campaign with a match against Botswana on Friday night as Coach Deklerk Msakakuona is optimistic that the team will make it to Algeria having maintained eight players from last years squad.
Lineup: Esther Maulidi, Mercy Wasi, Faith Chinzimu, Rose Kabzere, Evelyn Nthala (Kettie Munthali 52′), Mary Chindeya (Leticia Chinyamula 74′), Sarah Mlimbika, Chikondi Mgodi (Mary Mbalangwe 62′), Talandira Chinyamvula, Linda Manda, Tionge Chirwa (Olivia Phikani 77′).
