By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi under 17 girls national football team on Saturday displayed classic game as they thrashed Botswana 9-0 in 3rd place classification play offs at Bingu National Stadium.
Playing for the first time in the major tournament, Trevor Kajawa’s girls showed confidence and composure when playing Botswana on Saturday’s evening.
The girls opened the score sheet at 1st minute of the first half through Linda Manda who shot long range.
Leticia Chinyamula swept a low shot into the net via a thick forest of Botswana at 13th minute to extend Malawi’s lead, Rose Kadzere nearly scored for the host but her shot was parried by Botswana goalkeeper.
Botswana was then put under siege as the play was kept in their half.
At 23rd minute, Malawi scored again through Faith Chinzimu who slotted past Botswana after a blistering counterattack. 7 minutes later Leticia Chinyamula got her second and at 32nd minute Rose Kadzere scored fifth goal for the junior Scorchers as the visitors looked disoriented in front of thousands of Malawian fans who kept chanting Malawi! Malawi! Malawi!.
Five minutes before half time,Faith Chinzimu scored again,to make it Malawi 6 and nil Botswana.From this juncture Malawi kept pushing for more goals as they vent anger on innocent Botswana.
At half time Malawi led Botswana 6-0.As it was the case in the first half,Chinzimu scored barely seconds into the second half to complete her hat trick.
Sarah Mulimbika however put the ice on Malawi’s cake with a close range powerful finish at the near post at 61st minute.Mulimbika got her double at 70th minute.
At regulation time Trevor Kajawa’s girls were at 9-0,and successfully claimed a third place finish in their maiden COSAFA under 17 girls Championship with Faith Chinzimu being an engineer against Botswana who did not show up on Saturday’s evening at Bingu Stadium.
Malawi lost 3-1 to Zambia on post match penalties in the semifinal after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.While Botswana suffered a 3-0 defeat to South Africa in the last 4 stage.
The final for girls category will be played on Sunday between holders Zambia and South Africa.
Meanwhile the AUSC region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 tournament which have been taking place in the capital are coming to close on Sunday, December 11, 2022 with the finals in boy’s category, South Africa against Zambia.
In girls Championship, Zambia will take on South Africa in another anticipated thriller match.
South Africa has however, dominated in many Sports codes having won over 90 medals thus far.