By Rahim Abdul
Malawi National Women’s Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili says the team’s campaign at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship has laid a strong foundation for future success, despite missing out on a place in the semi-finals.
The Scorchers wrapped up their Group A matches with a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Angola, showing resilience and determination in their final outing of the tournament.
The decisive goal came in the 77th minute through Ireen Khumalo, whose calm finish ensured Malawi signed off on a positive note at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Fazili expressed satisfaction with his players’ overall performance, emphasizing that the team showed growth and fighting spirit throughout the competition.
Although the Scorchers fell short of reaching the knockout stages, the coach believes the experience gained will prove valuable as they shift focus to continental assignments.
Malawi began their Group A campaign with a 2-0 loss to hosts South Africa, a result that put early pressure on the squad.
However, they bounced back in emphatic style with an 8-1 demolition of Lesotho, demonstrating their attacking prowess and hunger to compete at the highest level.
One of the standout performers in that encounter was emerging striker Deborah Henry, who netted a hat-trick and drew praise from the technical panel.
Fazili singled out Henry for her work ethic and sharpness in front of goal, describing her as one of the promising talents to watch in the squad.
In three group matches, Malawi secured two victories and suffered just one defeat, finishing the tournament with renewed confidence and belief.
The coach has since appealed to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to maintain regular training camps to address weaknesses identified during the tournament.
With preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the horizon, Fazili insists that the lessons learned at COSAFA will be crucial in shaping a more competitive and disciplined Malawi side ready for continental challenges.
