By Rahim Abdul
Malawi women’s national football team coach Lovemore Fazili has identified poor finishing as the final hurdle the Scorchers must overcome before heading to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Despite earning a goalless draw against Tanzania in an international friendly at KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Fazili believes his side should have walked away with a victory had they been more clinical in front of goal.
The match marked the end of a two-game preparatory series between the two nations, designed to help both teams assess their readiness for upcoming international assignments.
While the result ensured the Scorchers avoided back-to-back defeats following their 1-0 loss in the first encounter, the coach’s attention quickly turned to the opportunities his players failed to convert.
Fazili said the team executed most of the tactical instructions given before the match and showed significant improvement in several aspects of their game.
He praised the players for their commitment, discipline, and ability to respond positively after the disappointment of the opening defeat, describing the performance as a step in the right direction.
However, the coach stressed that creating chances alone will not be enough when facing some of Africa’s strongest teams at WAFCON, where every opportunity could determine the outcome of a match.
The friendlies have provided Malawi’s technical panel with an opportunity to evaluate player combinations, test strategies and identify weaknesses that still need attention before the continental tournament begins.
With the defensive unit showing encouraging signs and the midfield displaying better control, the focus is now expected to shift towards improving efficiency in the final third.
