By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, October 11, Mana: Sports analysts in the country have expressed optimism that Malawi Women's National Football Team, famously known as Scorchers can defend the Hollywood Bets Cosafa Cup to be played from 22nd October to November 2nd in Gqeberha in South Africa.
The Scorchers won their first Cosafa Cup in 2023 after defeating Zambia 2-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Sports analyst, Phillip Pasula in an interview on Friday said according to women's football ranking, scorchers are in a fair group despite mounting pressure being the defending champions.
“Being defending champions, it should be an encouragement to players that they should be more prepared to defend the cup as pressure is high since other teams are also preparing to win the same cup.”
“Other teams now are watching the highlights of our last games to see how we were playing, identifying our strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, Malawi scorchers should be more prepared and stronger to make sure that the cup is retained back home,” he said.
He therefore, advised the team to be fully prepared and be mindful that they are representing the country.
“Fazili and his backroom staff, Captain and players should be aware that they are representing the country and people will be happy if the cup is defended and retained back home.”
“As the team they must be psychologically prepared and have self confidence that it is possible to defend the cup. Tactically, the coach knows what to do but he should also find out strengths and weaknesses of other teams,” Pasula added.
Another sports analyst, Kim Kamau concured with Pasula saying there was nothing that can stop the Scorchers from defending the cup considering the selected squad.
“With qualities of players that Fazili selects, there are chances of defending the cup as the majority of them are playing football outside this country that is different from other countries like Zambia and South Africa who do not include professional players in their squad.”
“So, for every coach with the squad he is having he must defend the cup. Failing that the coach should resign because it’s only us who are going to use a strong squad in this competition. So there are no excuses for failure to defend the cup,” Kamau said.
However, Kamau said Fazili must be careful with player selection as using many stars in the game sometimes spoils the performance of the team.
“Being defending champions means that every team that is going to play against us will be fully prepared. So, the coach and his backroom staff must be careful with the squad because sometimes using too many stars in the game may lead to poor performance as every player wants to shine,” he added.
The Malawi National Women’s Football Team is in group B of 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship alongside Mauritius, Madagascar and Botswana.
