LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, sent the newly crowned 2023 Hollywood-Bet COSAFA Women’s Football champions, the Scorchers over the moon when he gave each of the traveling squad with MK1.5 million and a 35 by 25 metres plot in Lilongwe’s Area 45.
The offer is a token of appreciation for their gallant fight in the tourney that earned them a gold medal in South Africa over the weekend.
The message came as a surprise through State House spokesperson, Anthony Kasunda soon after President Chakwera made his speech of appreciation to the scorchers during the lunch-on he organized for the team at Kamuzu Palace.
“It has pleased our President to honor everyone who was in the squad that traveled to South Africa for the COSAFA women’s football tournament with MK1.5 million.
“As this is not enough for the success, the President says, everyone will also receive a 35 by 25 meters plot in Lilongwe’s area 45, however, the President is appealing for all well-wishers to come forward in appreciation for what our team has done”
In his speech, President Chakwera lauded the women’s national team for putting their lungs out to make sure they brought the cup to the home soil.
“I am so happy to welcome and to host you the Scorchers here at Kamuzu Palace in your capacity as the 2023 COSAFA women’s champions, that is no mean achievement. It did not happen by luck.
“It certainly not by luck that you snatched the crown from the grasp of the defending champions themselves with a 2-1 victory over Zambia with a magical strike from Asimenye Simwaka in the first half, and a winning strike from Sabina Thom in the injury time to deny the Copper Queens for another title,” said President Chakwera.
In his remarks, Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire described the win as a memorable performance having won all five games and bringing the tournament for the very first time in the history of Malawi football.
On their part, Adelaide Migogo (Women’s football Chairperson) and Walter Nyamilandu (FAM President) commended President Chakwera for his encouragement, saying under his leadership football has achieved a lot in the country.
Malawi women’s national football team had to win all its five assignments to bring lad the trophy to Malawi soil for the first time.
Background: Malawi Beats Zambia at COSAFA 2023
From the word go, the Malawi women’s football team was a better team than Zambia on Sunday 15 October 2023. They were in full control of the game throughout the first half and were the first to score two goals. The second goal was denied by VAR as it was declared a foul. The first half ended Malawi 1-0 Zambia
Zambia came in with steam in the second half and tried to get hold of the game but Malawi still proved tougher than the Zambian side.
Zambia Copper Queens came from behind and equalized through a penalty. It was Malawi 1-1 Zambia.
Malawi scored the winning goal in 7 minutes of added time. The referee blew the whistle at the end of 90+7 minutes of added time and it was Malawi 2-1 Zambia
In 2020 the nickname Scorchers was adopted for the Malawi Women’s Football team. Previously it was referred to as She-Flames.
