By Mabvuto Kambuwe in Johannesburg, RSA:
Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, will face eSwatini in their second match at the ongoing 2023 Hollywood Bets Cosafa Women’s Championship at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa this afternoon.
The Scorchers will be hoping to maintain their impressive start to the competition after they narrowly beat hosts and African Champions South Africa 4-3 in the Cosafa opener at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.
This is an important match for the Scorchers who can book a spot in the semi-finals if they win today’s match and also hope that South Africa beat Madagascar in another Group A match later in the afternoon.
With a win in today’s match, the Scorchers will have six points and have a better head to head record against Banyana Banyana.
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However, the Scorchers eSwatini as they are also eyeing a spot in the semi-finals after they beat Madagascar 2-1 in their opening match on Wednesday. must exercise caution against
After the training session on Friday, Coach Lovemore Fazili believes the girls have all it takes to beat eSwatini in today’s match.
“We had a good training session as we were rectifying some of the shortcomings we noted against South Africa. At this stage, we cannot underrate eSwatini.
“We know it will be a good game as they are a good team. We need to be strong and close them down to get a win,” Fazili, who is leading the Scorchers for the second consecutive year at the Cosafa Cup, said.
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This is the first meeting between Malawi and eSwatini in the Cosafa Women’s Championship and it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Fazili will likely make some changes to the starting lineup that played against South Africa but goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo will keep her place with Bernadetta Mkandawire, Chimwemwe Madise, Patricia Nyirenda and Ireen Nkhumalo covering the back.
In midfield, the Scorchers will have a selection headache to start the combination of Madyina Ngulube, Lyna James, Rose Kabzere and Leticia Chinyamula.
Upfront, captain Temwa Chawinga and Sabina Thom will likely start.
Chawinga said there is no room for error against eSwatini.
“This is a very crucial and tough match for us. Honestly, it was an easy match against South Africa but eSwatini will come hard on us as they are also looking to qualify for the semifinals,” Chawinga said.
The Scorchers are top of Group A with three points from one match, above eSwatini on goal-difference.
Hosts South Africa and Madagascar will be looking for their points when they face in another match today.
Malawi will face Madagascar in the last Group A match at UJ Soweto Stadium on Tuesday whereas South Africa will meet eSwatini.
A total of 12 teams are taking part in this year’s tournament.
At the end of the group stage, group winners will advance to semifinals alongside the overall best runners-up.
