The Scorchers say they are not in the comfort zone yet despite carrying a two-goal lead going into this afternoon’s 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifier against Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
On paper, the Malawi Women’s National Football Team is a step away from the next round following their 2-0 first leg victory at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday.
But in an interview yesterday, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said he has warned his charges not to sit on their laurels as the battle is not over yet.
He said: “Our preparations have gone on well and we are ready. We have stressed to the players the need to approach the game with seriousness because this is a different match.
“Zimbabwe are not an easy team and if we lose the plot in a blink, they will surprise us. We need to be focused throughout the match.”
Fazili also said they expect a difficult match.
“They [Zimbabwe] have nothing to lose and they will throw everything at us and how we handle that will be crucial,” he said.
The Scorchers gaffer also said he is not losing sleep with the prospects of a hostile atmosphere.
“It will not be something new, these girls have handled such situations before,” said Fazili.
Fazili also confirmed the availability of Sweden-based playmaker Faith Chimzimu, who missed the first leg due to an injury.
“It will depend on what shape she is in and then we can take it up from there,” he said.
The Chawinga sisters, France-based captain Tabitha and US-based Temwa, who scored a goal each in the first leg, will again lead the Scorchers’ attack.
Other players to watch are France-based Rose Kabzere, Leticia Chinyamula and Asimenye Simwaka.
Mighty Warriors coach Stella Gotal said the approach in this afternoon’s match will be different.
The Croatan was quoted by The Herald newspaper of Zimbabwe as having said the strategy in the first leg was to defend as much as they could since they were playing away.
“The approach is certainly going to be different this time, but I can’t share what it will be like,” she was quoted as saying.
“But we feel we can find ourselves a way into the next round although it is going to be tough.”
The winner of the two-legged fixture will face Kenya.
The Scorchers are fresh from their maiden 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations good run in Morocco where they finished as runners-ip to Cameroon and qualified for the 2027 World Cup.
