Malawi Women’s National Football Team got off to a flying start at the 2023 Hollywood Bets Cosafa Women’s Championship after a hard fought 4-3 victory over hosts South Africa at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Attridgeville, Pretoria, Wednesday.
This could be a big statement of Malawi’s intentions as they look forward to lifting the cup for the first time.
This was the Scorchers’ second win over South Africa since the regional competition was introduced.
The victory means the Scorchers are top of Group A with three points, above second-placed eSwatini, who defeated Madagascar 2-1 in the first match of the tournament.
Malawi endured a tight and scary finish to the match as Banyana Banyana pressed hard for an equaliser which never came.
- Advertisement -
Debutant Leticia Chinyamula opened the floodgates for Malawi as she finished from close range after South Africa goalkeeper Dineo
Magagula lost the ball in the 27th minute.
The Scorchers took total control of the match, with Temwa Chawinga, Sabina Thom and Madyina Ngulube on top of their game.
However, the hosts pulled level through Thubelihle Shamase with a composed finish in the 44th minute after Malawi goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo was exposed by her defenders.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
But Temwa doubled the lead for the Scorchers when she capitalised on South Africa’s defensive error in added time of the first half.
After the break, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili made a double change by introducing Caroline Mathyola and Vanessa Chikupira for Rose Kabzere and Chinyamula.
Temwa grabbed her brace when she benefited from a miscued pass and sneaked past Magagula to slot the ball into an empty net.
The Wuhan Jiangda Women striker completed her hat-trick with a header, connecting a cross from Mathyola.
After the fourth goal, the hosts re-organised and took the game to the Scorchers, with Khesani Nkuna scoring their second goal before Shamase grabbed her brace to set up a tense finish.
But the Scorchers survived the scare and got away with yet another famous victory.
Fazili praised his charges for the spirited performance.
“I am very happy with the players’ performance. They did what exactly we wanted. But we have no time to celebrate this great result. Our focus has now moved to the remaining games. We will also work on our shortfalls,” Fazili said.
South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said her charges played well despite the loss.
“We still have two games and we will fight,” Ellis said.
Malawi face eSwatini in the second match at the same venue on Saturday before wrapping up their group stage campaign with a fixture against Madagascar at UJ Soweto Stadium on Tuesday.
Malawi have good chances of progressing to the semifinals if they win all the remaining games.
