The Scorchers yesterday suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tanzania’s Twiga Stars in an international friendly match at the KMC Complex in Dar-es-Salaam.
Despite dominating in the match monitored live on Azam TV, the Scorchers, ranked 153 by Fifa, could not turn numerous scoring opportunities into goals while the 121-ranked hosts utilised their only chance through captain Anastanzia Katunzi.
The Malawi National Women’s Football Team threatened as early as the fifth minute when Leticia Chinyamula initiated a promising attack and found captain Tabitha Chawinga, but the France-based forward’s effort was well saved by the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
yesterday. | Courtesy of FAM
Chawinga continued to trouble the hosts and won a free-kick in a dangerous area in the 14th minute.
However, Ireen Khumalo’s attempt struck the defensive wall before Tanzania cleared the danger.
The Scorchers came close again in the 24th minute when Morocco-based attacker Sabina Thom released Chawinga with a perfectly weighted pass.
The striker beat her marker and rounded the goalkeeper, but her final touch was too heavy and the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Four minutes later, Malawi were denied by the woodwork when Sweden-based Faith Chinzimu found Chawinga with a clever pass and the captain laid the ball into the path of Thom, whose powerful strike again crashed against the post.
Despite controlling possession and looking the more dangerous side going forward, Malawi went into the break level at 0-0.
Tanzania emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and took the lead just three minutes into the second half when Katunzi finished calmly from close range beating the Scorchers goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo.
The goal forced Malawi to increase the tempo as they searched for an equaliser, but Tanzania remained disciplined defensively.
The Scorchers were unfortunate not to level matters in the 76th minute after Khumalo delivered an inviting cross into the box and Chawinga produced an acrobatic bicycle kick that beat the goalkeeper but for third time, struck the woodwork.
Malawi continued to press in the closing stages, but Tanzania held firm to secure a narrow victory.
The Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili in a post-match interview said despite the loss, he would take encouragement from a strong performance as the two sides face-off again on Saturday.
He said: “The game was okay. I am not worried about the results. What makes me happy is that we managed to go upfront, managed to create a lot of chances.
“They scored after maybe we missed a lot of chances. I am happy that everybody put much effort on this game. So, 1-0, yes, it is the end result, but he could have won this game maybe with more than four or five goals.
“We had good goalkeeping today. Defence, at least they managed to do good things, even in the midfield. So we just go there and push.”
Both Tanzania and Malawi are using the friendly matches to prepare for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in August.
