The Scorchers Of Malawi Melts Lesotho 8-1, reacts Fazili

Ireen Khumalo of Malawi celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Womens Championship match between Malawi and Lesotho at the Seshego Stadium, Polokwane on the 21 February 2026 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Malawi registered their first victory in this years’ Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025 after beating Lesotho 8-1 in pool A on Saturday.

Coming from a disappointing 2-0 defeat from hosts South Africa, Malawi looked to be a different team. Hungry and pace that helped them to score just 3 minutes of the opening half.

Ireen Khumalo opened the scoring account for the scorchers.

Malawi were two up at 10 minutes, through Deborah Henry.

A minute later Henry completed her brace sending home a cool cross from Vanessa Chikupira. Chikupira scored hers at 39 before she completed her brace at 44 minutes. A minute to half time Henry finished her hat-trick.

Vitumbiko Mkandawire added a seventh goal at 50 minutes before Olivia Phekani completed the demolition at 57th minute.

Lesotho got their consolation at 71 minutes through Makhotso Moalosi. It was too late for Lesotho to score more goals at full time and ended 8-1 to Malawi.

Up next for Malawi is Angola.

Coach Lovemore Fazili described the outcome as a strategy to score more goals.

“South Africa is not like Lesotho, we knew the opening match would be difficult but we worked out our mistakes and found victory over Lesotho ,” he said.

Malawi will face Angola in their final group match, both have three points after the second round of matches in the group, but as they play each other in their final fixture on Tuesday, only one can match South Africa’s tally.

Hosts South Africa booked their place in the semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Angola in a top-of the-table Group A clash at Seshego Stadium on Saturday.