One each to you
Women’s football stars Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga yesterday conjured up a classical display of skill as they led the national team to thrash Mozambique 11-1 in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifier first-leg at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The sight of Malawi captain Tabitha tormenting her markers and her sister Temwa scoring for fun were enough to put smiles back on the faces of Malawian football lovers who for long were in deep sorrow following the poor performance of men’s national football teams.
It was probably Malawi’s convincing and most entertaining performance ever as the She-Flames offered a goal each to Mozambican players on the field of play.
Temwa scored five goals, four of which came in the first half, while Tabitha notched a hat-trick and had six assists to remind the football fraternity that it is not by fluke that the sisters secured professional deals with Swedish side Kvarnsvedens IK and Chinese top-flight league club Jiangsu Sunning, respectively.
Wezzie Mvula added a gloss to Malawi’s fantastic performance with an easy tap-in in the 37th minute while substitute Linda Kasenda claimed a quick second half brace in the 50th and 52nd minutes.
Tabitha hammered the last nail on Mozambique’s coffin from the spot kick after being fouled in the box in added-time. However, a lapse in defence gifted the visitors a consolation goal through Isabel Jorge.
The She-Flames were so effective that they led 7-0 by the end of the first half, igniting a raucous cheer from the home crowd.
“We really enjoyed the game today,” said Tabitha. “We planned to score many goals in the first half and we are happy to have achieved the feat.”
However, national coach Abel Mkandawire said despite their emphatic victory, they will do their best to score even more goals in the second-leg away on Tuesday.
“We will not sit on our laurels as we need another emphatic victory away. Football success is about scoring. Ukonde ugwedere basi,” he said.
Mozambique coach Claudio Macapa admitted that they were no match against the Malawi side but they are ready to surprise the She-Flames in the next outing.
“We did not train match prior to this game but we will go back to our drawing board to make amends ahead of the second leg encounter. It is possible to turn the tables,” he said.
