The Malawi Under 17 girls’ football team has started the 2025 Cosafa U17 Championship on a high note following their 3-0 victory over the hosts Namibia.

Malawi created many chances in the opening minutes of the first half but could not find the back of the net.

The breakthrough came at 24 minutes as a miscommunication at the defence of Namibia saw Uakatavisa Tijihiku scoring in her own net.

Ethel Tambala doubled Malawi’s lead at 33 minutes

Malawi coach Chisomo Nkhoma made her first substitution at 42 minutes , bringing in Alinafe Nyirenda for Jacqueline Kamputa.

Malawi led 2-0 at half time.

Nkhoma made another change in the first minute of the second half as injured Ongani Masamba was replaced by Chrissy Munthali.

The team failed to replicate their first half tempo with very few chances created in the last half.

Nkhoma made a triple substitution introducing Tryness Chawala, Rebecca Banda and Cecilia Nzima for Ethel Tambala, Tamandani Chilimba and Chisomo Mtelera at 74th minute.

Faluna Umali scored the third goal for Malawi in the added minutes giving the team the three points.

Nkhoma praised her girls for a perfect execution of the game plan.

Malawi will play Comoros on Sunday in their last group A match and a win will take them through to the knockout stages.