The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers last night suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Ghana’s Black Queens in their final preparatory match before the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.
A hat-trick from forward Doris Boaduwaa and another goal from Sharon Sampson handed Ghana victory at Municipal de Berrechid Stadium.
The Black Queens took the lead in the eighth minute through Boaduwaa who extended it in the 37th minute.
She was back to haunt the Scorchers in the 47th minute to complete a hat-trick before Sampson completed the rout in the 74th minute.
hero Doris Boaduwaa during the match
last night. | Courtesy of Ghana FA
The defeat was Malawi’s second in two international friendly matches in their preparations for their debut appearance at the continental tournament.
The Scorchers also lost 2-1 to hosts Morocco last week.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili fielded a slightly experimental starting line-up compared to his usual strongest combination, sidelining France-based captain Tabitha Chawinga the entire match.
But her US-based sister Temwa Chawinga returned to the squad and started in attack alongside Rose Kadzere and Madyina Ngulube.
Regulars such as Bernadette Mkandawire, Rose Alufandika, Sabina Thom, Faith Chimzimu, Tendai Sani and Chimwemwe Madise were also named in the starting XI.
However, Fazili made a change in goal, handing MDF Lioness goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga a starting place ahead of first-choice ‘keeper Mercy Sikelo of Civil Service Women and second choice ‘keeper Mighty Wanderers Ladies’ Esther Maulidi.
The coach made several substitutions in the second-half.
Sikelo, Leticia Chinyamula, Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Maggie Chavula came in for Kaonga, Sani, Olivia Phikani and Chimzimu.
Deborah Henry and Chisomo Banda also came in for Temwa and Kabzere, but the Scorchers failed to find a breakthrough against the West Africans.
The Scorchers will play their Group C opener against defending champions Nigeria on Tuesday.
