The Malawi junior Scorchers are slowly moving closer to the historic qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after a convincing 5-1 victory over Guinea Bissau at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.
Malawi have progressed to the next round with a 6-2 aggregate score and will now face the winner between Nigeria and Senegal.
The first leg match ended 1-1 last week at Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau before a second leg match today in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The visitors scored an early goal at Bingu just 2 minutes into the first half through Lamarana Bali after a defensive mistake.
But Malawi quickly levelled the scores at 6 minutes through Alinafe Milanzi and it was 1-all at half time.
In the second half, Malawi coach Maggie Chombo-Sadik made changes and saw her side dominating possession and went ahead 53 minutes later through Victoria Mkwala.
The home team enjoyed possession and extended their lead, making it difficult for the victors to come back. Malawi scored three goals more through Fatima Lali’s brace and another from Mayamiko Mkandawire.
Thousands of supporters enjoyed the proceedings as they watched the match free of charge giving courage to the players to do more.
“It worked” – Sadik.
Coach Chombo-Sadik was happy with the result and asked the Football Association of Malawi to give them more friendly matches as they prepare to take on Senegal or Nigeria.
“We have made it possible without friendly matches, we ask FAM to help us with testing matches as we look forward to the qualification. Otherwise, I am happy with my players. We were playing under pressure but I told them to calm down and utilize our chances, it worked and we have moved to the next stage,” she explained.
The 12th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals will run from 5 to 27 September 2026 in Poland.
Guinea Bissau coach Joao Domingos Loa NaFatcha admitted his side squandered key opportunities in the first half.
“We wasted several chances in the first half, but it was a fair result,” he said.
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