The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers will be seeking redemption as they face Lesotho in Group A match at the ongoing 2025 Cosafa Women’s Championship at Seshego Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa today.
This is a must win match for the Scorchers to remain in contention for a spot in the semi-finals of the Cosafa Women’s Championship after a 2-0 loss to South Africa in their opening match at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday.
There is little margin for error in this afternoon’s clash.
Apart from a semi-final spot, pride is also at stake for the Scorchers.
The Scorchers alongside Zambia and South Africa are the only three Cosafa countries that qualified for the upcoming 2026 TotalEnergies Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon)finals in Morocco next month.
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Malawi and Lesotho are familiar foes having met on several occasions.
Their most recent meeting was last year in international defeated Lesotho by 3-0 margins in each of the two matches at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre. friendly matches as the Scorchers
Prior to that, Malawi beat Lesotho 9-0 during the 2020 Cosafa Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The Scorchers and Lesotho were in the same group in 2002 but Malawi beat them 3-0.
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In 2006, they were also in the same group as Malawi defeated Lesotho by a similar margin.
The Scorchers are undefeated against Lesotho in all competitions.
On the other hand, Lesotho, will be looking for their first ever win against Malawi.
Additionally, Lesotho need to bounce from their 3-1 loss to Angola in the opening match on Wednesday. Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili will likely make some changes to the team that started against South Africa.
Experienced striker Vanesa Chikupira, who missed the match against South Africa due to logistical challenges, is expected to be thrown straight into the fray against Lesotho.
Fazili said he believes the Scorchers can bounce back in style this afternoon.
“We have rectified the mistakes and we are confident that the girls will rise to the occasion. This is a crucial match for us,” Fazili said.
Both Scorchers and Lesotho are without a point in the group.
In another match, leaders Angola will face second-placed South Africa at the same venue later in the afternoon.
Malawi will wrap up the group stage campaign against Angola on Monday whereas South Africa will meet Lesotho.
Group winners will automatically qualify for the semi-finals along with the overall best runners-up.
