Defending champions, Zambia women’s national team have failed to retain the COSAFA title following a 2-1- defeat to neighbors Malawi, in a fiercely contested final played in South Africa.
The Copper Queens sought to become only the second nation in the competition’s history, after South Africa, to successfully defend the title.
But they faced a Scorchers squad that was full of self-assurance after winning every game on the way to the championship and scoring 17 goals, with Temwa Chawinga scoring 9 for the team.
The first shot on goal came from Malawi in the sixth minute when star player Chawinga narrowly missed the target.
Minutes later, another tournament standout, Sarah Jere, saw her short shot well stopped by Malawi’s number one, Mercy Sikelo. This gave Zambia its first chance at goal.
With both teams aiming to prove a point, it was a battle of the midfield while their defenses proved solid.
It was, however, Malawi’s Asimenye Simwaka who drew the first blood in the 34th minute to give the 2021 finalists the lead.
Shortly after, the scorchers believed they had doubled the lead, but Sabinha Thom’s goal was disallowed thanks to the video assistant referee, keeping the score at 1-0 at the half.
Sabinha clinched Malawi’s winning goal.
In an effort to equalize, Zambia’s assistant coach, Florence Mwila, made substitutions early in the second half. However, it wasn’t until the 84th minute that replacement Agness Phiri, who had come on for Fridah Kabwe, converted a penalty kick when Ireen Khumalo handled her shot.
In the 90th minute, Sabinha Thom scored to give Malawi the lead for the second time in the match just as Zambia felt they were back in it. Leading to the goal, defender Lushomo Mweemba had difficulties clearing the ball from the danger zone before Thom pounced.
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Thom’s goal proved too crucial for the Scorchers as they beat Zambia to win their first ever COSAFA Women’s Championship.
