The Malawi National Women’s Football Team has received a timely boost ahead of their international friendly match against hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus.
Attacker Asimenye Simwaka joined the team in Johannesburg Monday, straight from Windhoek, Namibia, where she was attending a Continental Athletes’ Forum meeting.
Simwaka’s arrival could boost Scorchers’ morale after they lost the first match 0-3 to Banyana Banyana at the same venue on Saturday.
Coach Lovemore Fazili has promised to work on Scorchers’ attacking transition and finishing prowess ahead of the encounter.
“During the first match, we were below our expected standards. We have had sessions to rectify our mistakes and do well in the next assignment. We are hopeful that we will perform better, especially in midfield and finishing. Otherwise, during the first match, the defence and goalkeeping departments were outstanding,” Fazili said.
The former Flames assistant coach missed the services of France-based captain Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa Chawinga, who plays in United States of America.
The coach will likely change the formation or ring changes upfront, having started with Georgia-based striker Sabina Thom and Kazakhstan-based striker Vanesa Chikupira.
The Scorchers also missed France-based midfielder Rose Kabzere and Ascent Soccer Academy talented star Faith Chimzimu.
The win over the Scorchers was payback time, as South Africa lost 4-3 during the 2023 Cosafa Women’s Championship at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
South Africa are preparing for the delayed 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals slated for July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
The Scorchers are using the matches as part of their 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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