Malawi coach focuses on defence ahead of Atlas Lionesses' clash

Scorchers players sweat it out before leaving for Morocco:

Photo Credit: Football Association of Malawi.

Malawi’s senior women’s national football team coach, Lovemore Fazili, has disclosed areas he has focused on ahead of the June 19 friendly against hosts Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses.

The Scorchers have traveled to North Africa for final preparations of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola in October, with the coach aware that the game in Morocco was crucial ahead of the big assignment.

Speaking to the Football Association of Malawi media before flying out to Casablanca on Monday, Fazili said the week-long camp training in Blantyre ahead of the trip focused on correcting defensive lapses.

“We have worked on our defence and goalkeeping, which had some weaknesses in the previous encounters against South Africa and Zambia. We hope to do better in Casablanca,” he said.

“Being one of the strongest teams in Africa, the friendly match against Morocco is going to give our players confidence as we prepare for Angola in October.”

He is also happy with the availability of most foreign-based players in the 24-member squad, save for Temwa Chawinga. The Kansas City Current striker is preoccupied in America.

Fazili has travelled with foreign-based stars Tabitha Chawinga, Rose Kabzere, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupira and Bernadettar Mkandawire.

Commenting on the players in camp, the coach said: “We had a wonderful week of training camp at Mpira Village. There were some players with knocks. The doctors took care of them, and everyone is now fit and ready for the journey.”

The Scorchers have been busy this year, having played four strength-testing matches already against Zambia and South Africa twice each, winning once and losing thrice.

Malawi’s full traveling squad:

GOALKEPEERS; Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), and Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies).

DEFENDERS; Benadetta Mkandawire (Biik Kazygurt), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Women).

MIDFIELDERS; Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Faith Chimzimu (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Jessie Yosefe (Civo Service Women), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier) Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Victoria Mkwala (Ascent Academy).

ATTACKERS; Vanessa Chikupila (Biik Kazygurt), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies), Tabitha Chawinga (Ol Lyonnes), Sabina Thom (Lanchkhuti), Fatima Lali (Ascent Academy).