Scorchers got a timely boost yesterday at the Cosafa Women’s Championship following the arrival of Democratic Republic of Congo-based TP Mazembe forward Sabina Thom.
The scorer of the winner in Malawi’s 2-1victory over Zambia in the final last year, is one of the three foreign-based players in the squad alongside Mary Chavinda of Rayon, Rwanda and Vanessa Chikupila of Green Buffaloes, Zambia.
The other foreign-based players, including the Chawinga sisters Temwa (Kansas City Current, USA) and Tabitha (Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, France) and Rose Kabzere (Montpellier, France) pulled out at the eleventh hour.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said the arrival of the forward, will help improve the team’s attacking prowess.
Malawi drew one-all against Botswana’s The Mares in the opening match.
“We had problems in our attacking third and we’re going to improve on that one.
“So, I think our attacking third is going to be very strong and sharp with the coming of Sabina. This is a very big boost,” said Fazili.
With only winners from the four groups making it to the semi-finals, the Scorchers need to win their remaining Group B matches against Madagascar on Saturday and Mauritius on Monday or risk kissing the title goodbye.
However, if Botswana also win their remaining games against the same teams, it will go down to goal difference.
Suffice to say, Madagascar are also in contention for qualification as they top the pool after thrashing Mauritius 5-1 in their opening match.
“That is why we need to not just win in the matches against Madagascar and Mauritius, but also score as many goals as possible,” said Fazili.
In the match against Botswana, Malawi scored through defender Faith Chimzimu in the 27th minute, but The Mares levelled through Laone Moloi in the 39th.
In the absence of Thom, who netted three goals in 2023 and Temwa who won golden boot with nine goals, Fazili started with Chikupila and Chavinda upfront.
At half-time, the tactician pulled out the two strikers and threw in debutants Chisomo Banda of Silver Strikers and Catherine Kachala of MDF Lioness.
However, Malawi still went on to waste plenty of scoring opportunities.
On her part, Thom said she was glad to join the squad and that she is looking forward to another fabulous campaign to defend the title.
“We play as a team. If we all work together we can defend the title. We just need to win the remaining games. Although we are missing Temwa and Tabitha, I believe we can do it,” she said.
Unlike in previous editions, a record 14 teams are for the first time participating in the competition.
Group A has Eswatini, debutantes Seychelles, hosts South Africa and Namibia.
Groups C has Zambia, Angola and Comoros while Group D has Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.
