………….MALAWI 1-3 TANZANIA
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-It never rains but pours to Malawi football as Women’s football team has been booted out of the 2022 Hollywood bets COSAFA Women’s Championship following a 3-1 defeat to Tanzania.
This comes barely days after Flames also failed to qualify to 2022 Algeria Chan Finals on away goal rule to Mozambique which managed to hold Malawi 1-1 at Bingu National Stadium before a 0-0 stalemate in Maputo on Sunday.
Scorchers needed nothing but a win to qualify to the next stage from group C.
Malawi drew 1-1 against Botswana and managed to beat Comoros Island 6-0.
However that was not enough to send the Scorchers to the next round hence they had to defeat Tanzania in Wednesday’s game.
Malawi girls repeated what they did in last year’s edition in the finals where were defeated Malawi 1-0,and on Wednesday extended the tally to 3-1.
Tanzania scored through Donisia Minja 20’|,Diana Msewa 45’| and Opa Tukumbuke 59’| while Malawi’s consolation goal was scored by Asimenye Simwaka at 65th minute.
Malawi had another chance to reduce the deficit at 82nd minute through spot kick after Tanzania player handled in the box but Najiat Idrissa saved Ireen Khumalo kick.
In the game today Malawi missed their captain Tabitha Chawinga who assisted in the two games which Malawi drew 1-1 and won 6-0 against Botswana and Comoros Island.
After the match Lovemore Fazili, head coach for Malawi acknowledged the team did not play according to the plan, saying they conceded goals they could have avoided hence congratulated their counterparts Tanzania for the win.He said Tanzania played very well hence deserved the victory.
“We have learnt a lot of lessons from this tournament, exposure to the players,definitely we will work out on our weaknesses as we return home and plan well for the next edition”, Fazili said.
Malawi National Women’s football team finished as runners up to Tanzania losing 1-0 in the finals in 2021 edition.
Tanzania have finished as group C leaders with 7 points from 3 games while Botswana have finished second with 5 points.
Malawi are on third position with 4 points and anchoring the group are Comoros Island who failed to win or draw any match.
Zambia the Cooper Queens have finished as group B leaders after winning their three games in group stages.
Namibia comes second with 6 points, Lesotho and e-Swatini finished in third and fourth respectively with 3 points and zero point.
The host Banyana Banyana, South Africa, lead group A with 7 points after winning two games and drew 1 game.
Mozambique are second with 5 points while Angola are third with 4 points from three game and Mauritius anchor the group with no point.