No excuse – Chawinga sisters

Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, say they are disappointed that the Scorchers failed to reach the Cosafa Cup finals after poor showing against South Africa.

The Scorchers were dumped out of the Cosafa Women’s Championship after a 6-2 humiliating loss to hosts and defending champions South Africa on Thursday.

In an interview from South Africa Friday, Tabitha said it was a missed opportunity.

“We did everything as a team but we were a bit tired in the second half due to the red card. But no need to point fingers at each other because we lose or win as a team. We have learnt a lot and next time we will perform better,” Tabitha, who is the joint top goal scorer having scored seven goals alongside South African striker Sibulele Holwen said.

She scored six goals in the opening match as the Scorchers thrashed Lesotho 9-0 before scoring a single goal in the 6-2 loss to Banyana Banyana.

On her part, Temwa said there were several positives from this year’s Cosafa Cup.

“We wanted to win it but our opponents benefitted from other circumstances. For us, we have to move on and focus on future competitions,” the Wuhan FC striker said.

Temwa scored three goals in three games at the Cosafa Cup and she is the only Scorchers player to score a goal in every game at the regional showpiece. She scored a vital goal in a 1-0 victory over Zambia in the group stages.

After the loss to South Africa, Scorchers coach Mcnelbert Kazuwa said the red card to first choice goalkeeper Samir Amidu was the difference.

The Scorchers finished top in Group B with six points after victories over Lesotho and Zambia, to qualify for the semifinals for the first time in nine years. But South Africa have eliminated the Scorchers in all the semifinals. The first time Malawi reached the semifinals was in 2011 but lost 5-1 to Banyana Banyana before the latest loss.

Scorchers are yet to register a victory over South Africa in five Cosafa Cup meetings since 2002.