Scorchers yesterday came from a goal down to edge Zambia’s Copper Queens 2-3 in an international friendly at Reiz Arena in Lusaka, Zambia.
The match was the last of two Fifa international friendlies for the rivals after the hosts triumphed 2-0 in the first one played on Saturday and Sunday at the same venue.
The result means the two sides have shared spoils since Copper Queens won the first game which was abandoned on Saturday with the hosts leading 1-0 courtesy of Avell Chitundu’s goal before it was concluded on Sunday when they scored the second through US-based forward Rachael Kundananji.
But yesterday, Scorchers, despite missing US-based Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga who returned to her base, upstaged the hosts as they took the lead in the fifth minute through Kundananji.
The tide shifted against the hosts in the second-half as Malawi netted three goals to claim the victory.
France-based Montpellier attacker Rose Kabzere levelled in the 47th minute with a thunderous long-range strike from outside the box which Zambia goalkeeper Ngambo Musole could not keep out.
Then Ascent Soccer Academy’s Faith Chimzimu put the Scorchers in the lead in the 56th minute from a solo effort as she raced with the ball from deep in the midfield before burying it far from Musole.
Former TP Mazembe attacker Sabina Thom made it 3-1 two minutes later. She was set up by France-based PSG captain Tabitha Chawinga.
Zambia pulled one back through substitute Rachael Nachula in 80th minute to set up an explosive finish to the match as the hosts searched for an equaliser up to nine minutes of added time, but it never came.
In post-match interview Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili hailed his charges for revering from the 2-0 loss.
“We worked on our shortfalls we noted in the first game and I really thank my players for giving us this victory,” he said.
“Zambia are a big team and they have given us a good test and I can confidently say that we are ready for any competition ahead.”
On what they did differently to turn the tables, the coach said: “In the first game, we had plenty of opportunities but we couldn’t score, so the emphasis during preparations was on attack and how to defend set-pieces.”
His counterpart Nora Häuptle applauded Scorchers for giving them a good game as they prepare for the delayed 2024 Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.
