Malawi’s Scorchers coach, McNebert Kazuwa, has said he is bracing for renewal of rivalry with Zambia’s She-polopolo in the first round qualifying match of 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Kazuwa said meeting Zambia’s She-polopolo is an exciting challenge as the two countries share a lot in common.

“It is a good draw because that is how it is. They have drawn us against Cosafa opponents, so we just need to work hard in how we prepare for the game. We met them last time at the Cosafa Women’s Championship held in South Africa and we beat them. I know that they will prepare thoroughly for us and they will come for revenge, so we need to step up our preparations,” Kazuwa said.

In the last meeting between the two teams in November 2020, China’s Wuhan FC striker Temwa Chawinga scored the only goal for Malawi in the 1-0 win over Zambia at the Cosafa Championship to book a first semi-final place since 2011.

Kazuwa said he will surely bank on Temwa, her elder sister Tabitha and the rest of the regulars ahead of the AFCON qualifying match.

“It is difficult to rate your chances but when God is on your side and you have trained properly, things can work out. If all the players would be available and we camp for a long period of time, we stand a chance.  It should not just be two weeks of camping. That period might not be enough before a game of such magnitude considering that since our return from the Cosafa Championship, we have been dormant,” he said.

Kazuwa was appointed in 2020 to replace Abel Mkandawire.

Malawi has never qualified for any major continental let alone world championship with their best showing being the semi-final berth at the regional Cosafa Championship. Malawi are ranked 149 out of 167 teams whereas Zambia is on 104 on the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings.