Presidency buoys up Scorchers
President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-president Saulos Chilima have dared the Scorchers to beat Tanzania’s Twiga Stars this afternoon and bring the Cosafa Women’s Championship trophy home.
Chakwera and Chilima have also hailed the Malawi National Women’s Football Team for defying the odds to boot out champions and hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the semi-finals on Thursday.
Acting presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda yesterday said: “His Excellency the State President is excited with the Scorchers’ victory over South Africa and wants the girls to go a step further and bring the cup home by beating Tanzania.
“He will be keenly following the events as they unfold in South Africa.”
In a statement issued by State House on Thursday, Chakwera said: “Congratulations to the Scorchers for making it into the final. May Malawi’s winning mindset continue.”
And in their statement issued yesterday, the Vice-President and his wife Mary also hailed the Scorchers.
Part of the statement, reads: “Our girls have made us proud. You have beaten Banyana Banyana at their backyard. You are a big reason why all Malawians are smiling today.
“Please bring that trophy home. We will be at the airport waiting to receive you home and celebrate your victory. Congratulations and best wishes in the final.”
Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu yesterday said as a reward for reaching the final and beating Banyana Banyana, the bonus of the Scorchers has been doubled from K300 000 to K600 000 for each player and technical official.
He said: “The is a special token of thanks to the girls for making history and putting Malawi on the map.
“We are extremely delighted with the superior performance that the Scorchers have displayed at the Cosafa Women’s Championship.
“Our focus is now on the ultimate prize of bringing the Trophy back home.”
In a related development, Nico Group of Companies has pledged K5 million to the team if they win the trophy.
The group’s head of marketing and customer experience Lorraine Phiri yesterday said they are excited by the Scorchers’ win against South Africa and their subsequent qualification to the finals.
“The ladies have carried the flag high and as a patriotic Malawian group of companies, we would like to make a small gesture to encourage them as they prepare for the finals,” she said.
“We pledge K100 000 for the goal scorer and K40 000 to each player for every goal they score on Saturday. We further pledge K5 million to the team should they win the match. We wish the team all the best and look forward to celebrating with them.”
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