Andrew Mdzumira
Malawi Women’s National Football Team has made history by reaching the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on their debut appearance at the continental tournament.
The Scorchers secured qualification despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final Group C match at the tournament in Morocco. The result, combined with Nigeria’s 6-2 victory over Egypt, left Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia tied on six points each.
With all three teams level on points, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) applied Article 71 of its competition regulations to determine the final standings. The head-to-head criteria among the three teams could not separate them, as they remained tied on points and goal difference.
The deciding factor was goals scored in the mini-table, where Malawi finished with four goals, Nigeria with three, and Zambia with two. The outcome saw Malawi and Nigeria progress to the quarter-finals, while Zambia and Egypt were eliminated.
Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili admitted that the match against Zambia was difficult but expressed satisfaction with his team’s qualification.
“Zambia came out strongly against us. We lost the match, but I am happy that we have qualified for the next stage of the tournament,” said Fazili.
Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga thanked supporters in Morocco and those back home for their continued support throughout the group stage.
Zambia reflect on disappointing exit
Zambia head coach Nora Hauptle expressed disappointment after the late goal that contributed to the Copper Queens’ elimination but defended her players’ efforts.
The coach said Zambia’s overall performance was positive, although she felt the team struggled to maintain control in the second half.
“We conceded in the last minute, but overall the performance was good. The only thing I can blame us for is our second-half display because we failed to keep possession and control the game,” said Hauptle.
The coach described the outcome as difficult to accept, saying the result felt unusual considering Zambia’s performance during the match.
“It feels very, very weird and strange,” she reacted.
She also suggested that the match had a major influence on Egypt’s elimination from the competition.
Häuptle questioned the fairness of the system.
“We know the regulations, we were prepared, and we knew we needed to have two goals’ difference. We got six points in this group like Nigeria and Malawi, we scored the most goals in this group, we conceded the least goals in this group,” she said.
“Sometimes I am not sure if we do the right things with these kinds of regulations because it feels completely weird that we are out.”
Kundananji Questions Qualification Rules after Zambia exit
Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji said the Copper Queens were disappointed to miss out on a place in the quarter-finals despite their strong performance during the group stage.
Kundananji said the team scored more goals in the group stages but admitted she was surprised by the qualification regulations that determined their elimination.
“We scored more goals in the group stages, but I didn’t know how the regulations had changed so that we could not qualify for the last eight,” said Kundananji.
“We did our best. We have picked something from it, we have learned from it, and we have learned from our mistakes,” she added.
Kundananji praised her teammates for their commitment throughout the competition, saying they gave their best from the opening match until the final whistle.
