The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers got off to a bad start at the Three Nations Women’s Football Tournament following a 2-1 loss to Zimbabwe at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday evening.
Ethel Chinyerere stole the show as she scored a first half brace as the Mighty Warriors stunned the hosts infront of the home crowd. Faith Chimzimu scored the consolation for the Scorchers.
Following the defeat, the Scorchers will be looking to bounce back quickly when they host Zambia’s Copper Queens in the second match on Tuesday at the same venue.
The home crowd were hoping for a positive start but Zimbabwe showed great character with dominant performance. Chinyerere put Zimbabwe infront three minutes into the game. The striker doubled the lead in the 39th minute to silence the home crowd.
But Chimzimu gave the fans some false hopes when her shot was deflected into the net. The two teams went for the break with Zimbabwe leading 2-1. After the break, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili introduced some regulars including Captain Tabitha Chawinga, Vanessa Chikupira, Sabina Thom and Benadette Mkandawire for Sarah Mulimbika, Tendai Sani, Chisomo Banda, Maureen Kenneth and goalkeeper Thokozani Mwase.
It was a much-improved performance for the Scorchers in the after the changes. But Zimbabwe goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga produced a good performance as she denied Tabitha on several occasions. Despite the loss, Fazili said there were several positives. “The game was good, I wanted to give a chance to other players. The new players played well and I am happy with their performance,” said Fazili.
Zimbabwe coach Sithethelewe Sibanda praised the players for a spirited performance. “It was a good game but very tough for us after nine months of inactivity. We knew that Malawi having played a game recently, there cohesion was going to be much better than us. But we had a good tactical defensive shape to contain them,” said Sibanda.
Zimbabwe will face Zambia in the final fixture of the tournament on Tuesday at the same venue.
Thoko Mwase (Mercy Sikelo 45’) Maureen Keneth (Bernadettar Mkandawire 45’) Rose Alufandika Chimwemwe Madise Sarah Mlimbika (Vannesa Chikupila 45’) Ireen Khumalo Leticia Chinyamula Faith Chimzimu Rose Kabzere (Funny Moyo’ 78) Tendai Sani (Tabitha Chawinga) Chismo Banda (Sabina Thom 45’)
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Doreen Dickson, Funny Magombo,Ireen Sibande, Catherine Kachala, Maggie Chavula, Olivia Phikani, Lyna James 24
