Tabitha Chawinga available for Cosafa Cup
Malawi Women’s National Football Team top striker Tabitha Chawinga is available for the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup slated for August 31 to September 11 in South Africa.
Tabitha returns to the Cup having missed the 2021 edition due to Covid-19 pandemic travel restrictions.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Suzgo Ngwira said Tabitha’s presence is good for the team.
“Tabitha is an experienced player and she we will help lift the spirits of fellow players. This is good news for the team and we hope to do better,” Ngwira said.
Ngwira said they managed to secure Tabitha taking advantage of the Fifa International Window which runs from August 29 to September 6.
This means Tabitha will only take part in two opening matches against Botswana on September 2 at Nelson Mandela University Stadium and Comoros Islands three days later at the same venue.
She will miss the last Group C match against Tanzania on September 7 and even beyond should the Scorchers qualify for the semifinals.
Tabitha recently signed for Italian giants Inter Milan and will fly straight from Italy to South Africa on August 29 before returning on September 6.
Nigeria-based striker Fazila Chiyembekezo joined camp on Monday at Mpira Village whereas Chimwemwe Madise who plies her trade in Zambia was expected to arrive Wednesday.
Newly appointed Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili has assembled a strong squad comprising top players such as Patricia Nyirenda, Madyina Ngulube, Asimenye Simwaka, Emily Jossam and Ruth Nyirongo.
Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu said they were making travel arrangements for Tabitha.
“We are working on her release during the Fifa calendar window,” Nyamilandu said.
Malawi reached the final of the regional competition for the first time last year where they lost 1-0 to Tanzania.
On their way to the final, they dumped South Africa out of the competition following a 3-2 victory.
Only group winners will qualify for the semifinals with the best loser completing the list.
