Abel Mkandawire shifts focus
Malawi women’s national football team Coach, Abel Mkandawire, has said the just-ended Cosafa Women’s Championship was a perfect opportunity for his charges to warm up for their 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifier against Kenya.
Mkandawire’s side failed to qualify for the semi-finals as the best loser after Zambia and Botswana settled for a goalless draw in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
“The girls are determined to shine. They performed well at the Cosafa Cup and our attention has shifted to the qualifier against Kenya,” he said.
Malawi host Kenya on August 26 before travelling for the away tie a week later.
Mkandawire said his team would be strengthened by the availability of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, who missed the regional tournament because of club commitments.
“We have a good squad and, with Tabitha and Temwa around, we should be ready to go,” he said.
During the Cosafa tournament, Malawi defeated Madagascar 2-0 in their opening game before losing 3-1 to hosts South Africa.
The She-Flames then thrashed Comoro Islands 13-0 to conclude the group stages on a high.
Malawi will be hoping to replicate their stellar form in the Olympics qualifiers where they booted out Mozambique on a 14-1 aggregate score to advance to the next round.
