…..Malawi 1-1 Zambia
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE -(MaraviPoost)-The Malawi Women’s national football team has been booted out of the three nations tournament currently underway in the Capital Lilongwe following their 1-1 stalemate with rivals Copper Queens on Sunday.
On Friday Malawi also suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat in the hands of the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe, however, the team thought they would put themselves in the contention back after beating the Copper Queens but to the contrary the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate to mark the end of the road for the host nation.
Zambia was led in the field by the United States of America based Captain, Racheal Kundananji spit fire in the beginning of the match and posed a threat to Malawi.
In the very opening two minutes of the half, Tabitha brown spotted Sabina Thom on the move and the Striker’s low shot landed into the palms of Hazel Nali.
Zambia replied quickly in the 3rd minute as they attacked on the right through Enelesi Phiri who put a good cross to find Kundananji, who turned before firing over the bar.
Copper Queens now pressed Scorchers, in the 7th minute, they launched another attack on the left through Rachel Nachula who tried to cross the ball but Rose Alufandika planted the foot for a corner that Malawi defended without much ado.
Malawi also organized themselves, in the 10th minute Zambia survived the scare as the host came close to score, Ireen Khumalo whipped in a good free-kick to find her teammates but they failed to tap in home.
In the 19th minute Malawi launched an attack with Rose Kabzere releasing Sabina Thom on the right, she put a dangerous cross but Zambia conceded a corner kick that they easily defended.
Zambia came close to score when Avel Chitundu reacted to Kundananji’s backheel but the defense for Malawi combined to thwart the attack in the 20th minute.
The game then proved to be end-to-end as in the 26th minute Malawi through Tabitha Chawinga won the ball and drived forward but her effort couldn’t beat Hazel Nali on goals. Tabitha Chawinga again beat her marker on the right flank before firing a thunderous shot that went just over the bar in the 39th minute.
Copper Queen’s Everine Katongo danced on the left flank, cutting inside before firing her effort wide of the goal, Faith Chimzimu collected a loose ball just outside the box but she couldn’t direct her shot to the goal as she flashed wide.
Despite the efforts from both sides, the first stanza ended nil-nil.
In the beginning of the final stanza, Zambia made a change as Regina Chanda paved a way from Mercy Chipasula.
In the 52nd minute Tabitha Chawinga attacked on the right flank, she spotted Sara Mulimbika who released a powerful shot but the ball missed the upright with some inches.
Scorchers broke the deadlock in the 56th minute through the Montpellier attacker, Rose Kabzere, the long ball from Malawi’s half was headed away by Zambia and Kabzere released a powerful left-footed Volley.
In the 57th minute Sabina Thom paved the way for Vanessa Chikupira.
Zambians assistant coach Charles Haalubono made a double change as Avel Chitundu and Rachel Nachula went out for Martha Tembo and Natasha Nanyangwa.
Rose Kabzere got another chance in the 60th minute as she tried from a distance but her effort missed the post. Copper Queens equalized in the 65th minute through substitute Natasha Nanyangwa, a good cross from the right side found her in a good place, a beautiful header kissed the post before going into the back of the net.
In the 75th minute, Rose Kabzere arrowed it from a distance but Goalkeeper, Hazel Nali made a comfortable save.
Zambia could have taken a lead in the 82nd minute but Rose Alufandika made a good clearance to save Malawi as the ball was going into the net.
Lovemore Fazili subbed Faith Chimzimu for Tendai Sani in the 85th minute. Despite the efforts the two sides failed to get other goals till the final whistle was blown and yes it was confirmed that Malawi has been booted out of the competition.
Speaking after the match Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili said he was impressed with the way the girls displayed in the two games they have played.
“In the first half we had more chances but failed to score, we have noted that in the second half our girls were tired hence we have to work on that as we prepare for Morocco WAFCON.
Indeed it will be important if the FA can still arrange more friendlies to keep us fit ahead of the finals in March”, Fazili said.
His counterpart Copper Queens assistant coach Charles Haalubono described the game as competitive as Malawi came very strong “It was a very nice game and even the soccer fans have enjoyed watching. It was a game full of scoring opportunities from both sides that was very good, for me I’m happy with the result. Malawi has kept on improving and we are almost the same level now”,
“In football you can’t base your judgement in a previous game, every game comes with its challenges, so the only thing we have to do is to improve on our finishing and being solid in defense as we face Zimbabwe”, Added Haalubono.
The Copper Queens and the Mighty Warriors play on Tuesday, in the final match of the competition. The team which will accumulate more points will be crowned the champions.
Malawi headed in Sunday’s encounter with a mixed recent form, having won three,drawn one and lost one of their last five matches across all competitions.
The Scorchers recorded back-to-back victories over Lesotho, secured a win and a draw against Angola, before falling to Zimbabwe.
Zambia arrived in stronger form with four wins and one defeat in their last five outings.
The Copper Queens have defeated Namibia twice, along with victories over the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal,with their only blemish loss to Nigeria.
