Sports Correspondent -Zimbabwe’s dream of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games ended in disaster yesterday after the Mighty Warriors were thrashed 7-0 by Malawi at the National Sports Stadium.

Malawi progressed 9-0 on aggregate, but the scoreline only tells half the story.

The Scorchers are a formidable side. They proved their quality at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July/August, where they stunned continental giants Nigeria, and they remain strong contenders for a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, they were favourites to knock Zimbabwe out. What shocked fans was the manner in which the hosts collapsed.

Under new coach Stella Gotal, the Mighty Warriors looked lost, passive and completely out of ideas, suffering the heaviest defeat in the team’s history.

Malawi’s star duo, the Chawinga sisters, ran riot. Temwa grabbed a hat-trick and Tabitha added one, with the siblings scoring four between them, but Zimbabwe made it easy for them with a timid and casual display.

Gotal’s tactics raised eyebrows. She started with five defenders, often six when Daisy Kaitano dropped deep, a negative approach that invited relentless pressure from the visitors.

It was no surprise when Temwa opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, exposing Zimbabwe’s nervous defending.

Despite showing fight in last Friday’s first leg in Lilongwe, the Mighty Warriors conceded too softly and never recovered.

Temwa doubled the lead 20 minutes later to give Malawi a comfortable 2-0 cushion at halftime.

Gotal failed to adjust after the break, sticking with the same system that had already failed. Tabitha made it 3-0 soon after the restart before Temwa completed her hat-trick to effectively kill the contest.

Chasing the game, Gotal introduced experienced forwards Rutendo Makore and Shyline Dambamuromo, but the pair could not inspire a comeback.

Instead, Malawi punished more sloppy turnovers. With the Chawinga sisters already withdrawn, Chisomo Banda, Asimenye Simwaka and Sarah Mulimbika each found the net to complete the rout.

After the match, Gotal tried to put a brave face on the defeat.

“It’s a building phase. It’s a disappointing result, but we should take with us some positives we picked. We had a good first half, creating several chances, eight or nine, unlike what we did in the first game in Malawi. They have a good team if you look at it. They have world-class players who play in the best leagues in this world. It’s unfortunate we lost by such a margin, but it all comes down to the issue of mistakes that we made on our part. Congratulations to Malawi,” she said.

Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili insisted the scoreline flattered his side.

“Zimbabwe is a good team. The good thing is that we managed to play well and get an early goal. That was the difference otherwise, the game was never going to be easy,” Fazili said.

*Teams*

*Zimbabwe:* Cynthia Shonga, Egness Tumbare, Emmaculate Msipa, Nokukhanya Nolovu, Ruvimbo Mucherera, Sasha Marikano (Rutendo Makore 63min), Daisy Kaitano, Danai Bhobho (Timukudzeishe Mudziviri 72min), Christabel Katona, Ethel Chinyerere (Alice Moyo 46min), Priviledge Mupeti (Maudy Mafuruse 80min)

*Malawi:* Mercy Sikelo, Chimwemwe Madise, Rose Kadzere, Asimenye Simwaka, Temwa Chawinga (Chisomo Banda 61min), Tabitha Chawinga (Sarah Mulimbika 61min), Madyina Nguluwe (Faith Chimzimu 46min), Letticia Chinyamula (Chikondi Gondwe 78min), Ireen Khumalo, Rose Alufandika, Benadetta Mkandawire (Maggie Chavula 78min)