By MK

Madagascar holds keys for the Malawi National Women’s football team. The decision will be delivered on Monday when Malawi takes on Mauritius with Botswana facing Madagascar.

The Scorchers are at par on four points with Botswana who top the group B on goal difference. 

This year’s tournament has four groups and only group leaders will proceed to the knockout phase.

For Malawi to qualify, they will need to score more than 4 goals without conceding and pray that Madagascar should not concede more goals against Botswana. The work will be easier for Malawi if Botswana draw or lose to Madagascar and the Scorchers win.

In today’s match, Malawi clinched their first win at the on-going Cosafa Tournament courtesy of a seventh minute strike from Asimenye Simwaka.
Coach Lovemore Fazili made four changes to his starting eleven that played on Wednesday against Botswana by bringing in Maureen Kenneth and Rose Alufandika in defence pushing Faith Chinzimu and Leticia Chinyamula to the midfield. Catherine Kachala started and Sabina Thom were trusted to deliver the goals upfront.
From the first whistle, the defending champions made their intentions of getting goals known as they pushed a resolute Madagascar to the back in search of a goal.
But they couldn’t hold any longer. At seven minutes, Simwaka managed to slot home a superb pass from Kachala to give Malawi the lead which they defended to recess.
Tendai Sani was thrown into the mix at 30 minutes in place of Kachala.
Six minutes to the end of the first half, Simwaka almost doubled Malawi’s lead after making a beautiful run on the right, forcing the Madagascar goalkeeper to concede a corner.
Come the second half, Vanessa Chikupila was brought in for Chinyamula with no impact on the scoreboard at the end of the game.
Speaking to Wa Ganyu, Fazili said the hopes of progressing are still alive for the defending champions.
“We needed goals today, unfortunately we didn’t take our chances but we are glad we got the maximum points that still puts us in contention,” said Fazili who further accepted that her team needs polishing. “We will work on the finishing before facing Mauritius on Monday.” He added.
Malawi has scored two goals conceding one while Botswana have bagged six, conceding just one.