Malawi Under-20 Women’s National Football Team yesterday put up a gallant fight against visitors Nigeria, but their 2-1victory at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe was not enough to secure a place at the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Poland.
The Young Scorchers went into the match trailing 2-0 from the first leg played a week ago in Lagos and needed an early breakthrough to revive their hopes.
A brace from Sweden-based forward Faith Chinzimu saw Malawi cancelling the two-goal deficit.
But substitute Precious Chimere Oscar netted the all-important goal for the visitors to end Malawi’s dreams of maiden appearance at the tournament.
Chinzimu. | Courtesy of FAM
Just 10 minute into the match Chinzimu, who was not available in the first leg due to club commitment, connected home from Olivia Phikani’s free-kick, giving Nigerian goalkeeper Christiana Ijoma Uzoma no chance and sending the home supporters into wild celebrations.
Nigeria nearly equalised seven minutes later, but Malawi goalkeeper Emily Nkhwazi produced a timely save after rushing off her line to deny Folajom Alaba Olabiyi in a one-on-one situation.
Olabiyi, who remained a constant threat in the Young Scorchers’ territory, squandered another golden opportunity moments later when she failed to direct her free header past Nkhwazi despite being left unmarked inside the box..
Nkhwazi continued to shine between the posts and made another crucial save four minutes before half-time to deny Favor Chiemaka Nkwocha from close range as the first half ended with Malawi leading 1-0.
Nigeria returned from the break with renewed attacking intent, but Nkhwazi once again rose to the occasion, parrying away another dangerous effort for a corner kick.
But Chinzimu doubled Malawi’s lead in the 55th minute from a solo effort after she dispossessed a Nigeria player before racing from the halfway line into the box and fired past Uzoma.
But poor defending cost the Young Scorchers as they allowed the visitors to score the all-precious goal through Oscar in the 61st minute.
In post-match interview Nigeria coach Moses Opuamowe Adukue applauded both sides for a good show.
On her part, Malawi coach Maggie Chombo-Sadik said they made a mistake that allowed Nigeria to pull one back.
