Scorchers date Zambia in final
This was the stuff of footballing fantasy. Temwa Chawinga stood up to be counted yesterday, when her brace propelled the Scorchers to the final of the HollywoodBets Cosafa Women’s Championship after coming from a goal down to beat Mozambique 2-1 in South Africa.
The Scorchers face holders Zambia in the final tomorrow after the Copper Queens beat Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier on.
In a match monitored on Sabc, the China-based forward dragged her teammates to find strength in her artistry to stage a dramatic comeback which left the Mozambicans rattled.
The Scorchers captain was simply unstoppable on a bright afternoon when her sublime skills were on show for those that were privileged to be at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria and her name rolled off the tongues of the fans so sweetly
Mozambique took the lead in the 37th minute through a Bernadetta Mkandawire own goal, albeit in bizarre circumstances.
A ball that Amelica Manuel floated with precision by on the right flank led Mkandawire to hit it into her own goal as she attempted to clear it.
Earlier on, Temwa’s well-curled free-kick was denied by the post and moments later, she failed to slot the ball home with only goalkeeper Neima Nhamire at her mercy.
The pep talk offered by coach Lovemore Fazili remains firmly in classified category, but there was renewed purpose in Scorchers play, especially after the introduction of Rose Kabzere, who replaced Lyna James.
Then Temwa turned on the magic, gliding into opposition territory with devastating consequences and fuelling great expectations for her country’s regional showpiece dreams.
The Scorchers passed the ball around gently and later, with more purpose and invention and Mozambicans had their backs to the wall.
As desperation took a toll, the Scorchers finally got the equaliser and it was none other than the superwoman herself.
Temwa picked up a loose ball near the half way line and in a blur of action, the Mozambican ‘keeper advanced to avert danger, but Temwa cooly dribbled past her and then beat another marker before sweetly drilling her shot into the net.
The 25-year-old striker then struck the winner four minutes later and her ninth in the tournament when she got a pass that oozed class before slaloming past two Mozambique defenders to score past a helpless Nhamire, who was probably the busiest player on the pitch.
It was job done and after the final whistle, the Scorchers were in party mood as they were joined by some South Africa-based Malawians in turning the arena into a theatre of celebrations.
