by Sosten Mpinganjira
The Malawi National Women’s football team is through to the semi-finals of this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship following a narrow victory over Zambia’s Copper Queens in their last group stage match.
The Scorches were on Monday afternoon on a revenge mission at Wolfson Stadium in South Africa.
Although the two sides did not meet at the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship, the Copper Queens missed a controversial penalty in their goalless stale with Botswana which cost the Scorchers a chance to progress to the semi-finals.
Scorchers head coach McNebert Kazuwa maintained the same squad which triumphed Lesotho 9-0 in their opening game.
The Scorchers missed a couple of chances in the first half through Temwa Chawinga and Zainab Kapanda before Temwa’s header from a Kapanda’s magnificent pass found back of the net at the half hour mark.
Although at the end of the first half Zambia led with 53 percent ball possession against 47 percent for Malawi, the Scorchers defended the lead well up to the half time whistle.
In the second half, Zambia kept on pressing in search for an equalizer through their China-based striker Barbara Banda and Martha Tembo but the Scorchers held to the lead thanksto their defense of Emily Josam, Chimwemwe Madise, Ruth Nyirongo and Patricia Nyirenda.
Scorchers’ goalie Samir Amidu came to Malawi’s rescue on two occasions after she tapped dangerous balls over the bar denying Zambia an equalizer.
The Copper Queens brought in Misozi Zulu for Maylan Mulenga, Mary Mulenga for Martha Tembo and Tryness Changwe for Prisca Chilufya but to no avail, while the Scorchers made a single substitution, bringing in Maureen Phiri for Zainab Kapanda.
After the final whistle, it was smiles all over as the Scorchers qualified for the semifinal stage of the competition for the first time since 2011after finishing top of Group B with six points.
Goal scorer Temwa, who was voted player of the match, revealed that their secret to the victory was following the head coach’s instructions of playing attacking football.
To his delight, Scorchers head coach McNebert Kazuwa said his team came with a purpose.
“I am very happy for the win. We came with a purpose which started in 2019. Unlike last year, the team is now organized”, he said. “Now that we are into the semifinals, we will go back to the drawing board on how to approach the next match and we believe that our girls will make us proud again,” said Kazuwa.
Scorchers’ next assignment is on Thursday against South Africa while the Copper Queens will square it off with Botswana.
Team sheet: Samir Amidu, Emily Jossam, Ruth Nyirongo, Chimwemwe Madise, Patricia Nyirenda, Madyina Nguluwe, Zainab Kapanda (Maureen Phiri 90+2′), Sabina Thom, Asimenye Simwaka, Tabitha Chawinga, Temwa Chawinga.
