The Malawi National Schools Girls’ Football Team yesterday got off to a poor start at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Schools Championship Finals in Accra, Ghana, after losing 0-1 to Benin in their Group A opener.
They conceded 10 minutes to time as Benin’s striker Marcelle Gbenameto slotted in after taking advantage of miscommunication between Malawi goalkeeper Dorothy Manda and her defence.
a Benin player during the match. | Courtesy of FAM
Malawi’s realistic chance in this match, played 20 minutes in each half, came in the 18th minute when the team’s captain Eneles Fabiano took a free-kick that was cleared away by Benin.
Despite the loss, it was a match that could have gone either way with few chances created.
Malawi coach Bridget Chirwa said her charges played well and it was just unfortunate that they lost the game.
“The girls put up a gallant fight, but we were just unlucky to lose the match. We have noted our shortfalls and we will rectify them ahead of our next fixtures,” she said.
Malawi will play two group matches today. They will face Morocco at noon before taking on the hosts in their last group fixture at 4pm.
Semi-finals are scheduled for Friday before the third and fourth classification play-offs and the final on Saturday.
This is the first time the national schools girls’ team is playing at the continental finals.
South Africa were supposed to be the only qualified team from the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) after winning the 2024/25 Cosafa Qualifiers, but Malawi were given a berth for being runners-up as South Africa automatically qualified as the continental championship’s title holders.
Malawi’s starting XI: Dorothy Manda, Thokozani Enock, Ethel Tambala, Eneles Fabiano (C), Rejoice Silungwe, Rabecca Banda, Wongani Masamba, Talandira Kachala, Eunice Sinthaya, Mercy Banda, and Martha Mwakikunga.
