Malawi’s female youth national team players, coaches and officials will get ‘surprise rewards’ if they defeat Nigeria’s Falconets this Saturday in the second leg of their final FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup qualifier.
This was disclosed by the team’s head of delegation, Dr Lameck Zetu Khonja, who enthused in an exclusive interview with Sports247 that the players will be specially rewarded by a cross-section of elated Malawians should they pull off a shock win this weekend at home.
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The lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality & Sports Management at Mzuzu University added that the prospects of thrir team beating Nigeria are quite high, considering the gallant battle they put up against the Falconets during the first leg this past Saturday.
Sports247 reports that the encounter at Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne was barren after the first 45 minutes, and it took an own goal by Maureen Kenneth before Nigeria could score, until they eventually beat the visitors’ agile keeper, Emily Nkhwazi with ten minutes left on the clock to make it a 2-0 victory.
Dr Khonje reflected on the run of that game and opined that Nigeria will find it tough during the second leg this Saturday at Binji National Stadium in Lilongwe (starting at 2pm Nigeria time) because Malawi’s are eager to get the World Cup ticket.
“We played very well, and I’m sure we surprised everyone,” he pointed out. “However, probably it was Nigeria’s experience that made a difference.
“They found an opportunity in the second half, and they took it after our player scored an own goal. But, our players did well, and we are proud of them.”
He went on to reveal some factors that accounted for the unexpected stubborn display by the young Malawian players, tops of which he said is the strategy of continuity that the country’s football association has used in developing the team over time.
“We are actually building women football in Malawi, and what you saw in this squad is our effort at developing our national team from the basics.
“They have played together from under-17 up to this under-20 level, and they are giving us hope that they will be a very good senior national team.
“They showed great promise in how they played well against a team like Nigeria, which has vast experience. We matched them to a great level, and that gives us hope that we are moving in the right direction.
“The first leg was a good encounter; but the second match will be tougher for Nigeria. As we saw in Saturday’s game, it was really a tight contest.
“So, we look forward to a very good game in Malawi. Nigeria, being an experienced side, they will definitely be in Malawi to prove their quality, but they will face our stubborn girls, who have hope of going to the World Cup and they will put in their best.
“The girls also know that, if they qualify to the World Cup, a lot of people will step forward to reward them with surprises. At the moment, there is no promise that we can talk about, but rewards will surely come.
“I know, once they beat Nigeria, the whole of Malawi will stand up and be willing to shower them with prizes. Definitely, the result will determine what manner of prizes the girls will get,” Khonje reasoned.
