The Scorchers launch their Cosafa Women’s Champions title defence this afternoon in Group B at Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha, South Africa.
They will be hoping to get the better of Botswana’s The Mares who have always been a tough customer at the Cosafa Women’s Championship.
The two sides have met in the past, including a 1-1 draw in 2022 and a 2-0 loss for the Scorchers in 2018 and coach Lovemore Fazili in an interview said he expects another tough encounter.
He has maintained the spine of the squad that lifted the cup in Gauteng last year.
These include goalkeepers Mercy Sikelo, Esther Maulidi; defenders Rose Alufandika, Patricia Nyirenda, Bernadetta Mkandawire; midfielders Leticia Chinyamula, Carolyn Mathyola, Sara Mulimbika, Funny Magombo and Lyna James; strikers Vanessa Chikupila, Mary Chavinda, Asimenye Simwaka and Sabina Thom.
However, the Scorchers will be without US’s National Women’s Soccer League side Kansas City Current red-hot striker Temwa Chawinga and midfielder Rose Kabzere who has just signed with France’s Arkema Premiere Ligue side Montpellier.
Fazili has also included seven debutants goalkeeper Yamikani Kawonga (MDF Lioness), defender Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer), midfielders Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service United), Tendai Sani, Pilirani Malora (FCB Nyasa Bullets) as well as strikers Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers) and Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness).
In a pre-match interview, Fazili said he trusts that the squad he has assembled will deliver.
He said: “And since we are defending champions, we have to be ready and we are ready for tomorrow’s game.”
The tactician said the absence of other professional players such as Temwa and Kabzere, will not affect the team.
“We always have plan b. So, we have our plan b with the two professionals who are already in, who are already with us.
“The local players are also good players. It’s just a matter of an opportunity to go and play professionals; but they’re good players.”
The Scorchers are expected to defend the title against a record 14 teams, after all Cosafa members for the first time registered for the competition.
Unlike in previous editions in which group winner and runners-up proceeded to the semis, this time only four group winners will advance to the knockout stage.
Fazili stressed that this is why they need to start strongly in the opening match.
He said: “We have played with these teams before and we know how tough they are. They are good teams. Botswana once went to World Cup, so it’s not an easy team. Madagascar and Mauritius are improving every year. So we are not underrating any team.”
Before Malawi and Botswana’s fixture, other members of the pool, Madagascar and Mauritius, clash in an early kick off at the same venue.
The tournament got under way yesterday with a clash between Eswatini and debutantes Seychelles before hosts South Africa took on Namibia in Group A.
Groups C and D which have three teams each, will kick off the tournament tomorrow, with last year finalists Zambia taking on Angola at the same venue in Group C while in Group D Mozambique face Zimbabwe
