Malawi Women’s National Football Team will renew their rivalry with neighbours Zambia in the semifinals of this year’s Cosafa Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, South Africa Thursday.
Zambia set up the last four clash after thrashing Comoros 7-0 Tuesday to finish as Group C leaders to book a ticket with the Scorchers who ended as Group B leaders.
It will be a repeat of the 2023 final when the Scorchers defeated Zambia 2-1 to win their maiden Cosafa title.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said it would be a final before the final.
“I expected us to face Zambia but it will be a difficult match because it is like a final before the final. Of course, reaching the semifinals and final is a token to us for being the defending champions,” Fazili said.
The Scorchers booked their semifinal slot with a 9-0 drubbing of Mauritius as they finished top in Group B, with seven points from three games having drawn against Botswana 1-1 and defeated Madagascar 1-0.
In their last Group B match, the Scorchers rediscovered their scoring formula after Fazili changed the formation of the team.
During the trashing of Mauritius, Leticia Chinyamula and Democratic Republic of Congo based forward Sabina Thom scored hattrick each while Asimenye Simwaka, Catherine Kachala and Maureen Kenneth scored a goal each.
Meanwhile, analyst Mwakhale Kaliande anticipates a competitive affair and tipped the Scorchers to change formation.
“It is a tactical game and the one who will get it right we carry the day. A lot is at stake remember it is a 2023 final so vengeance and pride is at stake on top of the final spot. Watching Zambia play you would appreciate their central midfield dominance and prowess in finishing
“Obviously I am personally expecting a change in formation for the Scorchers from their last game against Mauritius where they took a gamble of 3 defenders, a probable 4-4-2 formation will be used,” Kaliande, who is also a sports presenter for Mij, said.
