Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, flew out of the country yesterday for Lusaka, Zambia, with three new faces. Scorchers caretaker Coach McNelbert Kazuwa has travelled with a 20-member squad including Roze Kabzere, Jesse Yosefe and Mary Chabvinda, who were not part of the squad during the 2021 Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa.
The trio has replaced Limbikani Chakupira, Carolyne Mathyola and Lyna James. The Scorchers face the Copper Queens of Zambia in the return leg of the 2022 Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier slated for Nkoloma Stadium Tuesday.
In the first leg, the Scorchers struggled against Zambia and were lucky to escape with a draw. Kazuwa said he expected an improved performance in the return leg.
“We will go to Zambia to win the match. The battle is not over yet. We have done our homework and we expect the players to do their best,” he added.
It is a tricky situation for both Malawi and Zambia heading into the second leg after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium last Wednesday.
Sabina Thom scored for Malawi whereas Grace Chanda was on target for the Copper Queens. The Scorchers need a win or scoring draw of more than one goal to progress to the next round.
On the part of Zambia, a goal-less draw will be enough to send them into the second round. After the first leg, Zambia Coach Bruce Mwape said his troops were wasteful in front of the goal.
“It will be a different match in the second leg and we will rectify the mistakes,” Mwape said. The overall winner between Malawi and Zambia will meet Namibia, who knocked out Tanzania 5-3 on aggregate.
Below is the squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ruth Mhango, Samir Amidu, Mercy Sikelo
Defenders:
Emily Jossam, Ruth Nyirongo, Chimwemwe Madise, Patricia Nyirenda, Yosefe, Mphatso Gondwe, Tionge Phiri, Ireen Khumalo
Midfielder:
Chikondi Gondwe, Wezzie Mvula, Zainab Kapanda, Madyina Ngulube, Asimenye Simwaka
Striker:
Kabzere, Thom, Fazila Chembekezo, Chavinda
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