Malawi Under 20 National Women’s team on Tuesday afternoon narrowly lost 1-0 to Zambia in a friendly match at Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.
The hosts scored the match’s lone goal in the 72nd minute through Salome Phiri who capitalized on a communication breakdown in Malawi’s defence.
Zambia and Malawi used the match to prepare for away 2020 FIFA World Cup Under 20 Womens Qualifier Preliminary Round second leg matches against South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively.
Zambia dominated the opening stages of the match and could have scored twice through Maylan Mulenga, who was unlucky to shot wide on both occasions.
Malawi also had chances with Captain Zainab Kapanda, Gladys Banda and Yamikani Mhango all getting a go at Zambia goal but without lucky.
Stand in Coach Kondwani Mwalweni said the friendly match will help to psychologically prepare his charges for the Zimbabwe game on Saturday in Bulawayo.
“This was a good friendly match and we have learnt a number of lessons. The girls did everything that we told them and we are happy with their performance despite the 1-0 loss .
” As we switch focus to the Zimbabwe game, we now need to prepare the girls psychologically because some of them looked nervous as it was the first time that they were playing away from home”, said Mwalweni.
In a related development, the Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia His Excellency Warren Gunda this morning hosted the Malawi Under 20 Women’s National Team at his offices in Lusaka.
Gunda wished the team all the best in Zimbabwe and encouraged the girls to work hard and grow their careers to become top footballers in Africa and beyond.
The team will leave Lusaka for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe this afternoon ahead of Saturday’s 2020 FIFA World Cup Under 20 women’s Qualifier Preliminary Round Second leg match.
