Malawi National Women’s Football team coach Lovemore Fazili has played down a 2-1 defeat to Zimbabwe in the three-nations tournament, which kicked off in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Before the tournament, Fazili had said he was aiming for a win, but after the defeat, he urged Malawians not to focus on the defeat, as their purpose is to build a team ahead of the WAFCON finals in Morocco next year.

Zimbabwe found the back of the net just three minutes into the first half through Chinyerere Ethel before she completed her brace at 39.
The Scorchers of Malawi pulled one back through Faith Chimzimu at 42 minutes.

At the start of the second half, Fazili made changes in order to change the outlook by introducing goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, Tabitha Chawinga, Sabina Thom, and Vanessa Chikupira.

Malawi pressurized but failed to unlock the resilient Zimbabwe at the back, and it it ended in favor of the visitors.

“Let’s not focus on the result” – Fazili.

Fazili said, “We should accept we have lost at home; that’s football, but I am happy that I gave other players a chance to play for the first time, which is encouraging“

“The plan behind these friendlies is to have players we can bank on; we should not be talking of only Tabitha and Faith, but we should have different names; hence, I came up with a different team“

“See, at the goalkeeping, our new keeper conceded two, but I am not worried with that because I wanted to give her game time; she is a good keeper, and she will be different tomorrow. Let’s not focus on the result because the plan was to give a chance to other players. We need to have at least 20 players we can depend on.”

Malawi will face the Copper Queens on Sunday, at Bingu National Stadium. Zambia will then face Zimbabwe in the closing match of the three nation tournament on Tuesday.

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