Malawi put up a solid performance to beat Zambia 2-1 and clinch the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship in the final played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Malawi also beat Banyana Banyana along the way, and in this one, they stood firm to win their first-ever COSAFA championship after ending as bridesmaids in the last edition.
It was a sweet win, especially after losing 1-0 to Tanzania in their maiden appearance in the COSAFA Cup in 2021.
They led the way in the first half, but Zambia returned from the break with more firepower, but their efforts hit a snag.
The Scorchers, as Malawi are fondly known, got their goals from Asimenye Simwaka and Sabinah Thom.
Zambia got their consolation goal from Agness Phiri through a penalty in the 84th minute.
MALAWI CAPTAIN WIN COVETED AWARDS
And the top performing Malawi skipper, Temwa Chawinga, was named the player of the tournament.
After scoring nine goals throughout the tournament, she also accounted for the Golden Boot.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili believes the Scorchers were always been the team to beat since the tournament started.
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“This was coming; we deserved to win because we gave it all from the start. Zambia was not easy on us. They were tough.
“It’s something we expected from the start, that it will be a tough match. This is a statement that we are taking everything seriously, and our approach will be to win everything we can.
“We have to build on this and work the few areas that we need to rectify so that we remain as strong as this and more,” Fazili told COSAFA TV.
Meanwhile, Mozambique earned a third-place finish in the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in third place playoff played early at the same venue.