Malawi coach praises Tabitha Chawinga despite loss to Morocco

Morocco and the Scorchers in action:

Photo Credit: Football Association of Malawi.

Malawi women’s national team coach Lovemore Fazili has praised captain Tabitha Chawinga for her leadership during the Scorchers’ 4-2 friendly defeat to Morocco on Thursday.

The Scorchers dominated in the second half, but allowed the hosts to recover and erase their early 2-0 lead before going on to secure the win.

Chawinga and fellow France-based teammate Rose Kabzere scored for Malawi, while Bernadettar Mkandawire’s own goal and strikes from Sakina Ouzraoui, Ibtissam Jraidi and Kenza Chapelle handed the Atlas Lionesses the win.

Despite the loss, Fazili said there were many positives to take from the game.

“It was a fair game, especially in the first half. We played much better. We have to be honest, the players put in a lot of effort and that is why we scored two goals,” he said.

“In the second half, it was much different. They came back and we conceded two goals, but we also had chances and had it been that we scored those chances, the game could have been 4-3.”

The coach then lauded Chawinga for her role in the game despite the loss at Kenitra Stadium in Casablanca.

“It was a good training for us. There are many positive things about this game. I have to congratulate captain Tabitha. She has shown maturity and leadership, and that is why I always say if we do not have players like her, we always struggle,” Fazili added.

The two teams faced off to fine-tune for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals.