Scorchers eye second final

Malawi National Women’s Football Team will this afternoon hope for a repeat of their historic final appearance at the HollywoodBets Cosafa Women’s Championship in 2021 as they take on Mozambique in the semi-finals at Lucas Morepe Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Scorchers have emerged as the tournament’s favourites after their thrilling run to the semi-final as the only team to register a hundred percent record three out of three wins in group stages.

Their 4-3 victory over hosts and last year’s finalists South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Group A set the tone.

They went on to pulverise e-Swatini 8-0 and Madagascar 3-1 to finish top of the group with maximum nine points.

But all this will be in vain if they make the mistake of stumbling when it matters most as they date Mozambique in the semi-finals.

Mozambique, who confirmed their place in the semi-finals after wins over Comoros and Angola and a one-all draw against defending champions Zambia in Group B, are not push-overs.

But Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said their opponents do not pose any threat to his free-scoring side.

“We are very good upfront. In fact, in the match against Madagascar we slowed down a bit, taking into consideration that we have a crucial semi-final ahead of us.

“Otherwise, our target is to make it to the final and win the cup and we do not see Mozambique stopping us from doing that.”

On her part, captain Temwa Chawinga said the players are geared for the semi-final.

“We want to make history. We want not just to make it to the final. We want to win the cup as well,” she said.

But the China-based forward, who is also chasing the Golden Boot after topping the chart with seven goals, said they are not underrating the Mozambicans.

“We are taking the match seriously,” she said.

Malawi’s best record at the competition was in 2021 when they lost to Tanzania in the final.

During that edition Scorchers lost 2-1 to South Africa in the opening group game, but went on to beat Mozambique 3-2 and Angola 2-0.

Malawi then beat South Africa 2-1 in the semi-final to book a date against guests Tanzania who won 1-0.

However, the Scorchers failed to replicate that performance last year as they could not make it past the group stages after drawing one-all against Botswana in the opening match before thrashing Comoros 6-0 and losing 3-1 to guests Tanzania.

Mozambique on the other hand were unbeaten at the 2022 edition, but that fine showing was not enough to seal a semi-final place for the second time in their history.