Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers and Zambia settled for a 1-1 draw in the Three Nations Women’s Football Tournament at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday night.
The Scorchers have concluded the tournament without a win in two matches following a 2-1 loss to Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors on Friday. Following the draw, the Scorchers are bottom of the tournament with one point from two matches while Zambia remain second with one point.
Zimbabwe are top of the tournament with three points after playing one match. The Mighty Warriors will wrap up their Three Nations Women’s Football Tournament campaign against Zambia at the same venue of Tuesday.
Rose Kabzere was on target for Malawi while Natasha Nanyangwe scored for the Copper Queens. Coach Lovemore Fazili made four changes to the side that lost to Zimbabwe as Captain Tabitha Chawinga, Mercy Sikelo, Benadetta Mkandawire and Sabina Thom started the match for Thokozani Mwase, Chisomo Banda, Tendai Sani and Maureen Kenneth.
It was a very competitive match as both teams displayed good football. The Scorchers was a much improved side and looked organised in many departments. It was a match of chances but both teams lacked composure upfront.
The Scorchers started the match on a high as Tabitha delivered a good ball to Thom but the latter shot straight into palms of Zambia goalkeeper.
Zambia, on the other hand, nearly got the opener but Rose Alufandika made a timely block to deny Rachel Nachula in the seventh minute. Tabitha had the ball into the net but it was ruled out for offside in the 14th minute.
But Kabzere broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with a volley. But Nanyangwe grabbed the equaliser in the 65th minute as the two sides settled for the draw.
Fazili rued missed chances especially in the first half. But Fazili said there were several positives from the tournament.
“The game was good and very tough. We tried to win the game but the end result was 1-1. We had plenty of chances to win the game,” said Fazili.
” But going forward, we have learnt alot from the tournament. There are positives and negatives. As we continue our preparations, we are going to rectify our problems.”
But Fazili said he was looking for more friendly matches ahead of the WAFCON finals.
” We have almost the full squad for the WAFCON finals. We need to have more friendly matches. The matches will help us to prepare well for the tournament,” said Fazili.
Zambia assistant coach Charles Halubono said the draw was a fair result.
“It was a very competitive game. Malawi came very strong, well organised team and well-coordinated football. I am sure the fans watched a good game. It was match full of scoring opportunities,” said Halubono.
Halubono said Malawi has improved a lot in recent times. ” Malawi keeps on improving. We are now at the same level. I follow Malawian women football and I know some of the players. I am sure we will have strong teams in the Southern Region,” said Halubono.
Both Malawi and Zambia have qualified for the WAFCON finals in Morocco. Malawi will make their maiden appearance.
Line Up
Mercy Sikelo, 4. Chimwemwe Madise, 6. Rose Kabzere, 9. Sabina Thom (57’| Vanessa Chikupira), 11. Tabitha Chawinga, 12. Sarah Mlimbika, 15. Letticia Chinyamula, 17. Faith Chinzimu (85’| Tendai Sani) 18. Ireen Khumalo, 21. Rose Alufandika, 22. Bernadette Mkandawire
Unused subs
Ireen Sibande, Thokozani Mwase, Olivia Phikani, Maggie Chavula, Funny Moyo, Funny Magombo, Catherine Kachala, Lyna James, Maurine Kenneth, Chisomo Banda
