Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, face a defining moment as they open their Cosafa Women’s Championship campaign against hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
With only group winners guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, the Scorchers know that a positive result against the tournament favourites would put them on course for the last eight.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili has described the encounter as crucial because of the calibre of the opposition and the fact that it is the opening match.
He said: “The game is very important considering that it’s our first game of the tournament and secondly we are playing South Africa, a team we are together with at Wafcon [Women’s Africa Cup of Nations] finals.
“So it is very important. A good result is going to put us on the right track and show us where we are heading in the tournament.”
Matches between Scorchers and Banyana have always been intense at the tournament.
In 2020, the two sides clashed in the semi-finals and the hosts won 6-2 in an eight-goal thriller.
The two sides met again in 2021 at the tournament and the hosts won 2-1 in the group stage but the Scorchers overturned the loss in the semi-finals by winning 3-2.
In 2022, Malawi never made it out of the group stage but returned stronger in the 2023 edition when the Scorchers beat Banyana 4-3 in group stages on their way to the final to win the title after defeating then defending champions Zambia.
Fazili failed to defend the title in 2024 after losing to Zambia in the semi-finals.
The last time Malawi and South Africa clashed was in a two-legged international friendly last April which Malawi lost the first leg 2-1 and the second 3-0.
| Courtesy of FAM
Fazili said the two matches gave them an insight into their opponents’ style and tactics.
He said: “Last year, we played South Africa in two friendly matches and they beat us in both games. But in those matches we learnt a lot and they also learnt a lot about us.
“Most importantly, the players now know where we went wrong and they understand the strong points of South Africa. Whoever is given a chance to play will put in 100 percent effort.”
Fazili has named a strong squad with internationals player Chimwemwe Madise of TP Mazembe, midfielder Tendai Sani of Zambia’s Zisd, Egypt-based Vanessa Chikupila and forward Chisomo Banda of Konkola Blades Queens in Zambia.
On his tactical approach, Fazili said he will read the tempo of the game before committing to a specific strategy.
He said: “It will depend on how the game starts; whether it’s high tempo or low tempo. We will dictate according to the situation, especially in the first minutes.
“We are aware that South Africa are a strong side, but I’m sure they are also aware that Malawi is not the same Malawi they used to know.”
The coach expressed confidence in the cohesion and experience within his squad.
Said Fazili: “I’m very happy with the players in camp. These are players who have played together for almost three years. Some of them have played against South Africa, Zambia and other strong teams.
“I am confident with the squad and the fighting spirit they will show. I believe they will go out there and fight.”
South Africa used local players in last year’s friendly matches against Scorchers.
But this time, Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has named a strong squad with international players such as Bongeka Gamede of Nordsjaelland (Denmark), Zoe October of Spurs WFC, Jessica Wade of Åland United (Finland), Linda Motlhalo of Glasgow City FC, Scotland), Hildah Magaia of Real Club Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, Thembi Kgatlana of Tigres UANL of Mexico as Linda Motlhalo of Glasgow City FC on Scotland.
The head coach told Safa.net than the match against Scorchers will launch her campaign for Morocco Wafcon and Brazil Fifa Women’s World Cup qualification.
The Wafcon winning tactician said this is why she needed her full squad.
Malawi’s group also includes Angola and Lesotho, sides the Scorchers defeated last year, but for now all focus is on the hosts.
