Malawi National Women’s Football Team head coach Lovemore Fazili says the Scorchers will draw lessons from their 4-0 defeat to Ghana in an international friendly match played at Municipal de Berrechid Stadium in Morocco on Tuesday afternoon.
Ghana took control of the match through Doris Boaduwaa, who scored a hat-trick, before Sharon Esinam Sampson added the fourth goal late in the second half.
The Black Queens started strongly and took the lead in the eighth minute through Boaduwaa, who capitalised on a corner situation to put Ghana ahead. Malawi responded with some attacking moments, with Temwa Chawinga and Tendai Sani both coming close, but the Ghanaian goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Ghana doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Boaduwaa, who continued to cause problems for the Scorchers defence. Fazili made changes at the break, introducing Mercy Sikelo, Letticia Chinyamula, Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Maggie Chavula as Malawi looked to change the rhythm of the match.
However, Ghana struck again two minutes after the restart, with Boaduwaa completing her hat-trick to make it 3-0. The Scorchers continued to push forward, but Ghana added a fourth in the 73rd minute through Sharon Esinam Sampson.
Later in the match, Chisomo Banda and Deborah Henry were also introduced for Madyina Nguluwe and Temwa Chawinga, but Malawi could not find a way past the Ghana defence.
Fazili said the performance was not at the same level as the team’s previous friendly against Morocco, but explained that the technical panel used the match to give other players an opportunity.
“It was not a good game compared to the game we played against Morocco. In today’s game, we made a lot of changes. We put some regular players on the bench and brought in new players who had not been given a chance to play,” said Fazili.
“We were trying to find combinations through these players. We gave a chance to goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga, Olivia Phikani, Chisomo Banda and Tendai Sani, just to mention a few,” he added.
Fazili said despite the heavy defeat, the match helped the technical panel assess players who may be needed during the tournament.
“Yes, we have lost 4-0, but we were trying to give a chance to other players. We still have the team to start next week, and I am sure we have gone the right way. We now have other players who are capable of being given a chance when we start the tournament,” he said.
The coach admitted that finishing remains an area that needs attention after the Scorchers again failed to find the back of the net. “We had scoring opportunities, but we could not convert them into goals. We will go back to the drawing board and see the way forward,” said Fazili.
He added that he expects the team to be in better shape when the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off.
“I am sure that when we start the tournament, the team will be in good shape and the goals will come. We needed to see the combination of Tabitha and the team playing together. On Tuesday next week, I think we will have a first eleven that is capable of delivering,” said Fazili.
