Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has backed its strategy of having free entry for international games involving national women’s teams.
Fam Operations Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said this after the association announced free entry for the forthcoming 2026 Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Malawi Under-20 and Nigeria Under-20.
The two sides will meet at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, with the hosts—Young Scorchers—hoping to overturn the tables having lost 2-0 to the Falconets at Remo Stars Stadium in Nigeria on Saturday.
Zakazaka said the match was crucial hence the association’s stand to continue with its free entry strategy.
“Throughout the campaign. We have made these matches free of charge to ensure maximum support for the girls and it has worked well with impressive turnout that has helped the girls to do well.
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“This is the last match of the campaign and a win will take us to the World Cup. We need to give the girls all the support and that is why we are calling all football loving Malawians to come in large numbers and support the team,” Zakazaka said.
The loss has dampened Malawi’s hopes of qualifying for the U-20 Fifa Women’s World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Young Scorchers coach Maggie Chombo-Sadik said in spite of the defeat her charges can pull a surprise at home.
“We gave away a goal which disturbed our focus.
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They managed to score two goals at home, and we also have home advantage. We believe we can do the same,” Chombo told this paper Tuesday.
The Young Scorchers must beat Nigeria by more than two goals without a reply to automatically qualify for the World Cup finals to be staged in Poland in September this year.
Chombo-Sadiko said playing in front of the home crowd would motivate the girls.
“We will play at home in front of our supporters. We expect the supporters to push the girls and motivate them,” she said.
Defender Maureen Kenneth scored into her own net soon after the break before Kindness Ifeanyi doubled the advantage for the Falconets.
