.….Zimbabwe 2-1 Malawi

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Women’s Football team, the Scorchers, suffered a disappointing defeat to Zimbabwe’s Mighty Warriors in their opening game of the Three-Nations tournament at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Playing in front of their home fans, Malawi struggled to find the finishing touch upfront, and Zimbabwe capitalized on this weakness.

The Warriors broke the deadlock just three minutes into the match through Ethel Chinyerere.

In the 7th minute, Faith Chimzimu danced through the defenders before connecting with Rose Kabzere, but Zimbabwean defenders cleared the danger.

Ncube Nobukhosi rifled a free-kick over the crossbar in the 17th minute. Scorchers goalkeeper Mwase produced a stunning save from Christabel Katona’s left-footed effort. In the 23rd minute, Mwase made another crucial save from a glancing header, denying the Warriors a corner.

The Scorchers kept pushing for an equalizer. In the 25th minute, they broke down the right through Rose Kabzere, whose cross into the box found no teammate as Zimbabwe survived the scare.

Leticia Chinyamula tried her luck from distance but sent it over the bar in the 33rd minute. Kabzere delivered a good cross with her left foot in the 34th minute, but the goalkeeper collected comfortably.

As the first half wore on, Ethel Chinyerere extended the Warriors’ lead in the 39th minute. Faith Chimzimu reduced the deficit three minutes later, making it 2-1 at halftime.

Head coach Lovemore Fazili made four changes at the break. Captain Tabitha Chawinga, Mercy Sikelo, Sabina Thom, and Vanessa Chikupira replaced Thokozani Mwase, Mourine Kenneth, Chisomo Banda, and Tendai Sani.

The changes ignited Malawi’s performance. In the 47th minute, Faith Chimzimu played a defense-splitting pass to Sabina Thom, who shot wide from distance. Six minutes later, Thom’s long ball targeted Captain Chawinga, but the defenders cleared before she could reach it.

The Scorchers dominated much of the second half, constantly knocking on Zimbabwe’s door. In the 61st minute, Zimbabwe introduced Fiona Kabera for Privilege Mupeti, while Sabina Thom received a yellow card for a foul.

Rose Alufandika released Vanessa Chikupira on the left in the 67th minute. The attacker beat her defender before delivering a dangerous cross, which the opposition cleared.

Mercy Sikelo made a critical save in the 72nd minute, denying Zimbabwe from a free-kick. Malawi made their final change in the 78th minute when Fanny Moyo replaced Rose Kabzere. Zimbabwe withdrew two-goal scorer Ethel Chinyerere for Praynance Zawanda in the 82nd minute.

Tabitha Chawinga beat her marker before whipping a dangerous ball into the box, but Zimbabwe’s defense conceded only a fruitless corner. Vanessa Chikupira received a yellow card for a foul in the 84th minute.

Leticia Chinyamula came agonizingly close to equalizing in the 89th minute, her long-range effort missing the post by inches.

Captain Chawinga had the last chance in stoppage time, finding herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but her effort was saved, confirming Zimbabwe’s victory on Malawian soil.

Malawi face the Copper Queens of Zambia on Sunday, while Zimbabwe take on Zambia on Tuesday. Both Malawi and Zambia are using the tournament to prepare for the 2026 WAFCON finals in Morocco.

The Maravi Post