14th Women AFCON: Africa’s Queens target high-margin win against debutants Malawi

Cup-holders Nigeria aim to kick off their defence of the Women Africa Cup of Nations title in an emphatic manner when they lock horns with debuting ‘Scorchers’ of Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night.

Last year, the most successful women’s team on the African continent and one of the best in the world came from behind to snatch the crown from the hands of Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, with a 3-2 win in a memorable Final.

The Lionesses, targeting a third successive Final appearance with two silver medals from the previous two, spanked Kenya Harambee Starlets by four unreplied goals on Sunday as the championship kicked off, and Cup-holders Nigeria felt it was a message sent to them that the battle for the trophy will be much tougher this time.

Tuesday’s clash is an encounter between authority and ambition, with the Super Falcons the overdogs against the Scorchers who will be playing their first-ever match in the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals, but who have the reverred Chawinga sisters – Tabitha and Temwa – capable of turning a match on its head in a matter of seconds.

Coach Lovermore Fazili’s charges have lost to Morocco’s Lionesses and Ghana’s Black Queens in friendly matches over the past 13 months, but have also drawn with highly-rated Zambia (who possess Barbara Banda, Grace Banda and Rachael Kundananji), and made short work of Angola in their final qualifying fixture for this tournament.

Fazili also has defenders Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani and Benadetta Mkandawire, midfielders Rose Kadzere, Letticia Chinyamula and Faith Chinzimu, and forwards Vanessa Chikupira and Deborah Henry among others, who are capable of making the night tough for the Super Falcons.

Head Coach Justine Madugu, who also led the Falcons to their successful Mission X last summer, insists his team of winners will not under-rate the debutants.