Old habits die hard. The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, conceded late as they went down 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in an international friendly match at Lucas Moripe Stadium in South Africa Tuesday.
This is the Scorchers’ second consecutive defeat to South Africa after they lost 3-0 at UJ Soweto Stadium in the first match on Saturday.
The Scorchers gave Malawians false hopes when Vanessa Chikupira broke the deadlock after she headed in Ireen Khumalo’s corner kick in the 58th minute.
After the goal, the hosts upped their game and took the ball to the Scorchers.
Sensing danger, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili made a double change, introducing Jessie Yosefe and Chisomo Banda for Sabina Thom and Funny Magombo, respectively.
The substitution had little impact as the hosts continued to dominate, forcing the Scorchers to make some errors.
Malawi’s resilience was finally broken in the 75th minute when substitute Hilda Magaia pulled the hosts level with a left foot shot that was deflected into the net by Rose Alufandika.
Magaia capitalised on Scorchers goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo’s mistake after she fumbled Thembi Kgatlana’s initial shot into the path of the midfielder.
But as the match was destined for a stalemate, Amogelang Motau scored the winner from a freekick in the 87th minute.
This could be a painful defeat for the Scorchers as they matched South Africa for the better part of the match.
Fazili made some changes to the side that lost in the first match.
Tendai Sani, Asimenye Simwaka and Funny Magombo were thrown straight into action.
South Africa, on the other hand, made some changes to their starting line-up.
After a barren first half, the two teams served the best dish in the second half.
Chikupira struck the post in the first half whereas Khaelebane Mohlokoana hit the post.
In a post-match interview, Fazili said he felt his charges were unfortunate to lose the match.
“We know our weaknesses and strengths. My team is very good although it is not a full squad as we missed some of the key players. We lacked firepower upfront,” Fazili said
The Scorchers are preparing for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola in October this year.
South Africa, on the other hand, used the matches as part of preparations for the 2024 delayed Wafcon finals in Morocco this July.
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