In a thrilling encounter, the Zambia Women’s National Team secured a 2-0 victory over Malawi at the Reiz Arena in Lusaka. The match, which had been interrupted by heavy rainfall the previous day after Zambia had taken the lead through Avell Chitundu in the 19th minute, resumed today to complete the action.
With a full crowd of 10,000 spectators filling the stadium, Malawi came out purposefully and looked the more dangerous side in the opening ten minutes. However, Zambia soon regained control, launching a series of attacks. In the 29th minute, the Copper Queens won a penalty, but Racheal Nachalu’s spot kick was expertly saved by the Malawian goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo.
Despite the setback, Zambia continued to dominate possession, with both sides having their chances. Barbra Banda came close in the 60th minute but was denied by tight marking from the Malawian defense. As the match neared its final stages, Zambia sealed the win in the 79th minute. A free-kick just outside the penalty box was taken by Racheal Kundananji, who struck the ball low and hard, leaving the goalkeeper helpless to prevent the second goal.
Zambia’s 2-0 triumph sets the stage for the two teams to meet again on Tuesday. It will be their second friendly match of the window, again at the Reiz Arena.
Nora, Fazili post-match reactions
This was Nora Hauptle’s first game in charge of the team since her appointment in January. She has been tasked with winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which will kick off in July this year in Morocco.
Hauptle said she was pleased with the win but admitted that it is too early to tell if the team is ready for the WAFCON.
“Honestly, the WAFCON is still a bit far away. Panono panono [let’s take one step at a time],” she told journalists after the match.
The Swiss trainer added that the main goal for the friendly against Malawi was ” to give players exposure, time to implement ideas” and for the players to get used to her playing philosophy. “So I think we are very much in the moment…. And we need to build a lot of ingredients. We have a lot of young players here and for me they’re interesting. You know, we also need to give them the exposure.”
Meanwhile, Malawi’s coach, Lovemore Fazili, bemoaned his side’s missed chances but believes that the Copper Queens are ready for the WAFCON.
“We had plenty of chances. Maybe we would’ve won this game, maybe four or five goals. I think you are a witness, so we have missed ; this is part of the game.… And when we go to training, we’re also going to rectify [and explain] why we are missing those opportunities,” bemoaned Fazili.
On the Copper Queens’ preparedness for the WAFCON, Fazili said: “Zambia is okay. They are ready for WAFCON.
“I wish them to have a very good performance when they go there. We have given them a very good test. We were very strong; I think you know it for yourself. So I think they’re going to have good performances when they go to Morocco.”
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