Scorchers crash out
Scorchers’ dream of a successive semi-final appearance in the Cosafa Women’s Football Championship went up in smoke on Wednesday after losing 3-1 to defending champions Tanzania in a Group C decider at Isaac Wolfson Stadium in South Africa.
Some defensive errors, especially goalkeeping flaws and poor finishing proved costly for the LovemoreFazili’scharges, who just needed a draw to sail through as group winners on better goal difference.
Tanzania joined South Africa, Zambia and Namibia, who did it as Group A and Group B winners and best runners-up across the three groups, respectively.
The Scorchers, who were runners-up in the last edition after losing 1-0 to Tanzania, have finished third in their group with four points, a point behind second-placed Botswana, who beat anchors the Comoros 2-0 on Wednesday.
The absence of striker and skipper Tabitha Chawinga, who returned to her Italian club Inter Milan at the end of Fifa women’s international window after winning two Player of the Match awards and scoring a hat-trick, was heavily felt as the Scorchers lacked the driving force upfront.
It was even worse when defender Ireen Khumalo missed a penalty in the 82nd minute when a Tanzanian defender handled the ball in the box.
But the Malawi national team troubles began early in the first half when goalkeeper Ruth Nyirenda fumbled the ball into her own net from DonisiaMinja’s direct free-kick for Tanzania to lead 1-0 in the 20th minute.
Just when everyone thought that would be the scoreline at the end of the stanza, Diana Nsewa came with Tanzania’s second with a long-range drive in the 45th minute.
Sensing danger, Fazili made changes at the start of the second half when he pulled out Nyirenda for Martha Banda in goal and striker Sabina Thom for Mary Chavinda.
However, the changes could not prevent the Tanzanians from increasing the tally to 3-0 in the 59th minute through Opa Tukumbuke.
Substitute Asimenye Simwaka pulled one back for the Scorchers with a simple finish in the 65th minute, but it was too little, too late.
“This game was very important for us to qualify for the semis and avenge on our loss in last year’s final. However, it is unfortunate we did not play according to plan, especially in the first half where we conceded avoidable goals,” said Fazili.
