Scorchers ‘not scared’ of Banyana
Scorchers’ coach McNebert Kazuwa says his charges are not scared of facing defending champions and hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in the Cosafa Women’s Championship semi-final tomorrow.
The Malawi women’s national football team coach was reacting to Banyana’s incredible record in the regional showpiece in which they are eyeing a fourth consecutive title and have won six of the last seven editions while the Scorchers are making their first semi-final appearance in nine years.
Banyana also have vast experience in prestigious international competitions, including qualifying for last year’s Women’s World Cup finals in France whereas the Scorchers’ high-level experience was taking part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics qualifiers.
“We know South Africa are giants in our region and have vast international experience than us.
“However, their record is only on paper and not on the field of play, where we are determined to prove our worth. We have no reason to feel inferior,” Kazuwa said.
On her part, Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga said: “With determination and hardwork and, above all, having faith in God Almighty, we can do it and we are not afraid of them.”
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was quoted on Cosafa website www.cosafa.com as having said they cannot afford to lose a single match at the tournament to successfully defend the crown and prove that they are among Africa’s giants.
“If South Africa want to conquer Africa, they need to conquer the [southern Africa] region first,” she said.
To make it to the semis, Scorchers thrashed Lesotho 9-0 and beat Zambia 1-0 in Group B matches while Banyana Banyana thumped Comoros 7-0, Eswatini 5-0 and Angola 2-0 in Group A.
In the other semi-final, Zambia, who qualified as the best runner-up, face Botswana.
