….Malawi 1-0 Angola
By Edwin Mbewe
POLOKWANE—(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Women’s National Football team were eliminated from the 2026 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship on Tuesday despite a narrow 1-0 victory over Angola, as results elsewhere conspired against them.
Malawi needed not only a win but favourable outcomes in other group matches to advance to the semifinals as one of the best losers.
However, both Zambia and Zimbabwe kept their own campaigns alive — the Copper Queens defeating Eswatini 2-1, while Zimbabwe thumped Botswana 1-0 — leaving the Scorchers with no path through.
Malawi’s lone goal came in the 77th minute when defender-cum-midfielder Ireen Khumala converted a free-kick to break a goalless first half deadlock.
The Silver Strikers Ladies player was later voted Player of the Match.
It was a bittersweet end to a tournament that started poorly for the reigning 2023 champions, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their group opener.
The Scorchers responded strongly, however, thrashing Lesotho 8-1 before Tuesday’s win over Angola.
Coach Lovemore Fazili described the early exit as painful but remained measured in his assessment.
“It is a painful exit, but I have to thank the girls for the beautiful play. Today we performed better than in the two previous games.
“All in all, we have learned a lot from this championship, and it gives us a chance to rectify things before we leave for Morocco for WAFCON,” said Fazili.
South Africa finished top of Group A and have qualified for the semifinals. In Group C, Mozambique and Madagascar will battle it out for the remaining semifinal spot on February 25.
Despite the early exit, Malawi have reason for optimism — the Scorchers have qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time in their history, a landmark achievement that will keep spirits high heading into their Morocco preparations.
The team won the COSAFA Women’s Championship title for the first time in 2023, defeating Zambia 2-1 in the final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
