Scorchers, Zambia clash in decisive match

The Scorchers have vowed to go flat out for a win when they face Zambia this evening in Rabat, Morocco despite needing just a point to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) quarter-final. The Malawi National Football Team go into this final Group C tie with a spring in their step, having secured two straight wins, a 3-2 victory against holders and 10-time champions Super Falcons of Nigeria 3-2 and 3-1 against Egypt, while Zambia’s Copper Queens thumped Egypt’s Cleopatra 6-0 before losing 1-0 to Nigeria. The Scorchers, who are making their maiden appearance at the continental showpiece, top the group with six points, three points above second-placed Nigeria and Zambia, who are third.

Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili yesterday said they are aware that a draw at Al Madina Stadium will see them through, but they will have an attacking mindset to secure a third successive win. He said they will not take a defensive approach to avoid being caught off-guard. “We know a loss could put us in a precarious situation and fighting for a draw could be risky.

The best way to defend is to attack. So, we will go flat out,” he said. Fazili said the team is aware of the attacking threats that the Copper Queens pose; hence, the need for caution.

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“So, while we will attack, we also have to strike a balance by being cautious at the back,” he said. France-based Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga said they will do their best to beat Zambia, but was quick to say that their dream could be up in smoke “We are confident of victory, but we urge Malawians to keep us in prayer. God’s intervention is important,” she said.

In their past five meetings, either team has won twice while the other match, which was their last meeting in November last year, ended in a one-all draw. Meanwhile, in an article on Zambianfootball.co.zm, Zambia head coach Nora Häuptle, whose side has 10 players that ply their trade abroad, acknowledged the pressure her team faces playing against the puffed-up Malawi side “We know Malawi very well. They are our neighbours and we have played them three times in the last one-and-a-half years,” the Swiss was quoted as having said.

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