Thu, 14 Sep 2017 15:02:18 +0000
…as the Zambia women soccer team put out the Flames of Malawi via 6-3 bashing
By Grace Chaile Lesoesta
ZAMBIA made a strong statement at the on-going COSAFA women championships with a 6-3 thrashing of Malawi in their opening Group A match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
The Shepolopolo came from behind to put out the Flames of Malawi in a nine –goal thriller.
Malawi took an early lead when their star player Tabitha Chawinga scored in the sixth minute.
The Flames could not hold on to the lead for long as Zambia’s experienced striker Noria Sosala levelled the scores in the 12th minute.
Sosala’s goal breathed life into the Shepolopolo who dominated possession and tormented the Malawian defence.
Misozi Zulu doubled the advantage for Zambia in the 17th minute before player of the match Barbara Banda made it 3-1 six minutes later.
Chawinga reduced the deficit in the 35th minute for Malawi to make it 3-2 heading to the break.
In second half, both teams looked rejuvenated but it was Zambia that produced brilliant play upfront.
Zambia’s goalkeeper Hazel Nali and the defenders had a tough job to keep the Chawinga sisters from scoring and almost cost the Shepolopolo the victory.
Zulu scored the fourth goal for Zambia in the 54th minute to complete a brace.
Zambia continued to search for a fifth goal which came in the 76th minute when Banda scored a low shot after she had missed clear-cut chances.
The Shepolopolo looked tired after the fifth goal which led to Tabitha complete a hatrick in the 85th minute to reduce the scoreline to 5-3.
Racheal Nachula added the icing to the cake when she scored the sixth goal for Zambia in injury time.
Zambia coach Albert Kachinga said he will work on the defence ahead of the Zimbabwe game which is a must win to qualify to the semi-finals of the competition..
Kachinga said he was worried that the team could conceded half of the goals they scored.
“Malawi gave us a good run for the money although our defence was shaky. We were good upfront but failed to defend,” he said. Malawi coach Staurt Mbolembole said his lasses were a little bit slow for the fast-paced Shepolopolo.
Mbolembole said the team was a playing against a super team hence the players were a bit jittery.
“Our chances of qualification are 50-50 after this loss to Zambia. This is a group of death so we have a lot to work on. Most of the players are new and not used to this exposure,” he said.
Zambia face Zimbabwe tomorrow before taking on Madagascar in their last Group A game on Sunday.
In other results, Namibia won the opening Group B match with a 4-0 bashing of Botswana.
Zimbabwe beat Madagascar 4-0.
