By Rahim Abdul
Malawi’s Under-20 Women’s National Team delivered a commanding performance to book their place in the next round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers after a resounding 5-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The young Scorchers showcased confidence, composure and attacking brilliance as they overwhelmed their opponents in front of an energetic home crowd. From the first whistle, Malawi signaled their intent to finish the job in style.
Star forward Fatima Lali stole the spotlight with a clinical brace, underlining her importance to the team’s attacking force.
Her sharp movements and precise finishing proved too much for the visitors to handle.
Additional goals came from Alinafe Milanzi, Victoria Mkwala and Mayamiko Mkandawire, each adding their name to the scoresheet in a display that reflected teamwork and depth in the squad.
The emphatic home win ensured Malawi progressed with a 6-2 aggregate score over the two legs. The first encounter in Guinea-Bissau had ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything to play for in the return fixture.
Backed by home support at Bingu National Stadium, the Malawian side looked more confident and organized, turning the tie decisively in their favour with disciplined defending and ruthless finishing.
Head coach Maggie Chombo Sadik will be proud of how her charges managed the pressure, especially after the balanced result in the first leg. The team showed maturity beyond their years.
The midfield dictated the tempo of the match, creating scoring opportunities while ensuring Guinea-Bissau had limited space to build momentum. It was a complete team performance from defense to attack.
The victory not only highlights Malawi’s growing strength in women’s football but also signals the rise of a promising generation ready to compete on the continental stage.
With momentum firmly on their side, Malawi now shifts focus to the next hurdle in the qualifiers, where they will face either Nigeria or Senegal.
A potential clash against Nigeria would be a stern test given their pedigree in women’s football, while Senegal would also present a formidable challenge.
Regardless of the opponent, Malawi’s U-20 women have already made a bold statement.
Their dominant display in Lilongwe serves as proof that the future of Malawian women’s football is bright and full of promise.
