FULL TIME
Malawi 17 (Asimenye Simwaka 6′ 41′, Mary Chavinda 7′ 21′ 41′ 50′ 79′, Gladys Kandodo 9′, Chimwemwe Madise 19′, Ruth Nyirongo 25′, Tendai Sani 28′, Carol Mathyola 53′, Sarah Mlimbika 58′ 61′ 72′, Jessie Yosefe 79′, Bernadettar Nyenga 90+2′) -0 Seychelles
The Malawi National Women’s Football Team on Thursday registered another 17-0 victory over Seychelles in their second international friendly match at Mpira Stadium.
The Scorchers won with the same margin in the two teams’ first meeting at the same venue three days as the hosts prepare for the forthcoming Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa next month.
Coach Lovemore Fazili made a wholesale of changes to the side that started on Monday with the likes Mercy Sikelo, Benardetta Mkandawire, Faith Chinzimu, Ireen Khumalo, Roze Kabzere, Funny Magombo, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupira and experienced striker Temwa Chawinga who came from the bench to score a hattrick watching from stands.
Among the experienced players who Fazili started on the afternoon were Asimenye Simwaka, Lyna James, and Mary Chavinda.
It only took five minutes for the hosts to open the scoreline through Simwaka, who was set through by Chikondi Gondwe.
A minute later, Chavinda doubled the lead with a simple finish capitalizing on a defensive mistake from the visitors.
Gladys Kandodo made it 3-0 at 9 minutes
Simwaka nearly doubled her tally in the 17th minute when she received a through ball from Gondwe, but her shot came off the woodwork from the close range.
The Scorchers made it 4-0 in the 19th minute through Chimwemwe Madise, who scored through a powerful header from a corner kick.
Chavinda doubled her tally with another easy finish after she was at the receiving end of another excellent pass from Gondwe to make it 5-0 .
Ruth Nyirongo was the next to register her name on the scoresheet with a powerful header from another set piece.
It was 7-0 after the 28th minute courtesy of a long-range rocket goal from Sani .
Seychelles introduced Sherina Radegonde for Rania Chetty to try to tame Malawi’s pace, especially in the middle of the park where Gondwe was in full control.
Simwaka doubled her tally in the 41st minute after she won the ball away from the visitors in their own half to make it 8-0.
The final goal of the first half was scored by Chavinda who completed her hat-trick with yet another simple finish from a million-dollar pass from Gondwe.
After the recess, the hosts made nine changes to the side that played in the opening half while Rahima Moumou was replaced by Dinara Julie in goal for the visitors after sustaining an injury to her hand
Chavinda was on target again in the 50th minute with a thunderous shot outside the penalty box to make it 10-0 in favor of Fazili ladies.
Substitute Carol Mathyola registered her name on the score sheet before another substitute, Sarah Mlimbika, scored direct from a corker kick to make it 12-0.
Mlimbika was back on the scoresheet with a simple tap in, connecting well from a Mathyola pass into the six-yard.
She then completed her hat-trick in the 72nd minute with yet another easy tap-in after s receiving and excellent pass from Gondwe, who has had several assists in the game to make it 14-0.
Jessie Yosefe and Chavinda scored in quick succession to put the game at 16-0 before a late strike from Benardetta Nyenga made it 17-0.
After the match, Fazili maintained his position that he was very much focused on the performance of his players rather than goals scored.
“I was not interested in the number of goals scored by my team but rather on performance. Scoring 17 goals doesn’t mean we are okay. We still have some areas to polish up before we go to South Africa. The main concern is how the players are placing themselves when it comes to offside traps. We also having a problem with the tendency of passing the ball backwards, something which needs to be avoided but all in all, we have learnt a lot in these two friendly matches that will help us to improve and possibly record wins,” he explained.
On squad selection, Fazili said his squad will include both the experienced players and the youngsters in order to have a smooth transition as he is focusing on rebuilding the team.
“The two friendly matches have given me a selection headache to come up with 23 players, but I will try my level best to pick the best players out of the whole squad. We will definitely have new faces in which it will be 50-50 for transitional sake so that we will get the best players from both the experienced players and the new players,” he concluded.
His opposite number, Florence Marie hailed her players for such a spirited performance despite a heavy defeat, saying the players gave it all and learned a lot in the two matches.
“First of all, I would like to thank my players for giving it all against Malawi. The perseverance, the determination, and the willingness to go into the field to play were something extraordinary. That’s what was expected of them to do, and they played despite some of them getting injured. We are also grateful to FAM for giving us this opportunity to expose our players to such a big stage. We are here, we have played the games regardless of the score line even though we were eager to reduce the margin, but all in all, we are going home with our heads high, learning, taking lessons from the two matches.
“We have to work harder in terms of discipline on the field, in terms of endurance, our tactics, and how we move with the ball when in possession. We have learned a lot, and definitely, we will come out good after these matches,” she concluded.
The Scorchers leaves for South Africa on Monday and will Kickstart their Cosafa campaign against hosts Banyana Banyana on October 4th.
