Malawi Women’s National Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili has said he was left disappointed with lack of firepower upfront in an international friendly match against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Saturday.
Fazili was reacting to the 0-3 defeat to South Africa at UJ Soweto Campus Stadium.
He said the loss exposed several shortcomings, citing the striking force and midfield.
“We did not play as expected because we had a problem scoring and [we also had problems in] some areas in midfield. It was a bad day for us but the defence and the goalkeeper tried their best,” Fazili said.
In the absence of France-based captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa Chawinga, Fazili trusted Georgia-based striker Sabina Thom and Kazakhstan-based striker Vanesa Chikupira.
In midfield, the Scorchers were also without France-based midfielder Rose Kabzere and Ascent Soccer Academy talented star Faith Chimzimu.
Nonhlanhla Mthandi scored a brace for Banyana Banyana whereas Linda Motlhalo scored the other goal.
The win over the Scorchers was revenge for South Africa after they lost 4-3 during the 2023 Cosafa Women’s Championship at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Fazili would be looking for a perfect response when the two sides meet again in another friendly match at the same venue tomorrow.
South Africa are preparing for the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) slated for July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
The Scorchers are using the matches as part of preparations for the Wafcon second round qualifier against Angola later this year.
Malawi also played two friendly matches against Zambia in February. They lost 2-0 in the first match but beat the Copper Queens 3-2 in the second match.
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