By Mabvuto Kambuwe in Johannesburg, South Africa:
Malawi Women’s National Football Team Coach Lovemore Fazili has dared his troops to aim for a third straight win at the ongoing Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship when they face Madagascar at UJ Soweto Stadium this afternoon.
The Scorchers are walking with a spring in their step after qualifying for the semifinals of the competition with a game to spare following two 4-3 and 8-0 victories over hosts South Africa and eSwatini, respectively.
Again, the Scorchers are already assured of top spot heading into the game against Madagascar due to their head-to-head record against both South Africa and eSwatini.
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Surely, the result in today’s match will have no impact on the standings as Madagascar are already eliminated from this year’s tournament.
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However, Madagascar will be hoping to redeem their pride by beating one of the tournament’s favourites.
This is the third meeting between the two sides in the Cosafa Women’s Championship since 2018. Malawi and Madagascar were drawn in the same group during the 2018 and 2019 editions but the Scorchers won both matches by 2-0 margins.
The Scorchers can also write another piece of history if they win today’s match as it will be the first time to get three straight wins for Malawi since the competition was introduced in 2002.
Although the match is a formality for Malawi, Fazili emphasised that it will be important to finish the group stage with a win.
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“Madagascar have nothing to lose; so, they will likely come hard on us. We have to show our quality and end the group stage on a high,” Fazili said.
In today’s match, Fazili will have the luxury of resting some of the key players with his focus on the semifinal on Friday.
Malawi’s opponents are yet to be confirmed.
Captain Temwa Chawinga, who has starred at this year’s tournament having scored seven goals, Sabina Thom and Chimwemwe Madise are some of the players likely to be rested.
However, Temwa believes the team has enough weapons to get a positive result against Madagascar.
“All the players are ready for the battle and we trust everyone in the team. Even if the coach changes the line-up, we will be strong,” she said.
Fazili will likely give a chance to Vanessa Chikupira, Asimenye Simwaka, Chikondi Gondwe, Rose Kabzere, Rose Alufandika, Martha Mbewe and Faith Chinzimu.
Since the tournament was introduced in 2002, the Scorchers have never won it but finished as runners-up to Tanzania after a 1-0 loss in 2021.
In another Group A match, South Africa and eSwatini will meet each other at Dobsonville Stadium.
Both BanyanaBanyana and eSwatini are still in contention for a best runners-up spot, having collected three points each from two matches.
