Straight from Women’s World Cup, South Africa captain Janine van Wyk says Malawi stands in Banyana Banyana’s way to a record sixth title in Cosafa Championship’s Group A.
The JVW Football Club defender said they will have to tread carefully when they face Malawi after being drawn in the same group alongside Madagascar and Comoros.
“For us it is a good draw, but a very tough draw. So, it won’t be an easy one for us. Malawi are a very strong team and Madagascar are not bad themselves.
“Comoros could be a surprise team. We have to take every game as if it is a final for us,” she told www.cosafa.com.
Malawi has never beaten Banyana in all competitions but the women’s team coach Abel Mkandawire is confident they can pull a surprise.
The coach has since called up 25 players to go into camp tomorrow in preparation for the tournament to be held from July 31 to August 11.
The squad includes foreign-based sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga who ply their trades in Sweden and China, respectively.
Mkandawire said the training will focus more on improving the physical and psychological state of his charges.
“The matches we played against Mozambique in the CAF Olympics qualifiers proved that tactically the girls are getting it right.
“But they showed some deficiency in mental strength as well as physical fitness which we must work on before invading Port Elizabeth,” said Mkandawire.
Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Samir Amadu, Ruth Mhango (DD Sunshine), Mercy Sikelo (Ntopwa), Martha Banda (Blantyre Zero).
Midfielders: Chikondi Gondwe (CY Sisters), Wezzie Mvula, Sabina Thom , Fanny Mwale, Madina Nguluwe (DD Sunshine ), Bridget Mkuzilire (Skippers FC), Zainabu Kapanda (Blantyre Zero) and Chimwemwe Bonongwe (Ntopwa).
Defenders: Moreen Phiri (CY Sisters), Emily Jossam, Fatsireni Kazembe (Skippers), Ruth Nyirongo, Chimwemwe Madise (DD Sunshine), Patricia Nyirenda, Slyvia Phiri (Ntopwa), Towera Vinkhumbo and Salome Vinkhumbo (Blantyre Zero).
Strikers: Asimenye Simwaka (Karonga FC), Linda Kasenda, Loveness Nyakamera (Skippers), Enelecio Mhango (DD Sunshine) Mary Chavinda , Shirah Dimba (Blantyre Zero), Temwa Chawinga (Kvarnsveden -Sweden) and Tabitha Chawinga (Jiangsu Huatai-China).
