Temba Dube
Veronica Gwaze Zimpapers Sports Hub
When the Zimbabwe senior women’s football team face Malawi at Bingu Stadium on October 9 and the National Sports Stadium four days later, they will need confidence and tactical discipline ahead of everything.
The Mighty Warriors and 32 other nations are fighting for two available tickets for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Under the mentorship of Stella Gotal, they are currently preparing for the tournament, with everything at stake.
The Mighty Warriors, who made their Olympics debut in 2016 in Brazil, are chasing a second appearance.
This time, they have to go through a furnace and should they win against the Scorchers, they will play either Kenya or Seychelles in the round of 16 teams. “This one will be tough; Malawi are
coming from Africa’s biggest tournament, Wafcon, so they will be ahead of us in a number of aspects,” said former national team player David Sengu.
“However, Zimbabwe shouldn’t be intimidated; they have everything they need to win that game…they just need to play their cards right.”
Malawi are riding high after a silver-medal finish on their Wafcon debut in Morocco, marking the greatest achievement in their history.
With that performance, they understand that they are no longer underdogs, but a side that now belongs among Africa’s elite.
The Mighty Warriors once belonged there when they dominated the Cosafa and played in the Wafcon to achieve a fourth-place finish.
They went on to qualify for the 2016 Olympics, before then losing steam to fall down the pecking order.
The last time Zimbabwe and Malawi met was on November 28, 2025, when the Mighty Warriors defeated hosts Malawi 2-1 at Bingu, in the Three Nations Women’s Tournament.
Former league player Shyline Ndlovu is confident that the Mighty Warriors can collect maximum points against the Scorchers.
“Malawi are a familiar rival and history between the two sides gives us a good foundation to build on,” Ndlovu said.
“However, what makes the situation tricky is that Malawi will be just as determined; we played them in the last year and won, and then they had a wonderful Wafcon campaign.
“Both sides are high in confidence, but this is a qualifier, and it will demand even more from us.”
What Zimbabwe need is a solid plan, and the courage to stick to it, she added. Under Gotal, a University of Zagreb Kinesiology Master’s Degree holder fitness is non-negotiable.
Previously, fitness has been one of the Mighty Warriors’ weaknesses.
This time, camp has been different with the coach prioritising gym sessions while she also requested for GPS vests from the employer to ensure her squad is in the best shape.
Tactically, discipline will be key.
Malawi have become known for a fast, direct transition game often evading slow build-ups to hit opponents quickly on the counter-attack.
At Wafcon, world-class forward Temwa Chawinga operated as the space-attacking spearhead, while her sister Tabitha functioned as a deep-drifting creator and overload generator.
The pair scored nine of the 12 goals that Malawi recorded at the tournament with Temwa finding five to be the showcase’ top scorer. Tabitha contributed four.
Midfielder Faith Chinzimu offered positional discipline and ball retention in the centre allowing the team to pull what has been termed the “biggest shock” in continental history.
To contain the Chawingas, Gotal’s charges must address the specific division of labour between the Malawian sisters.
Stopping Temwa requires neutralising space, while for Tabitha they should disrupt the supply chain.
With their roles deeply complementary, the Mighty Warriors cannot rely on a generic low block; instead, they need a multi-layered tactical approach.
“There is a need to deploy a defensive midfielder or an aggressive centre-back who should step out of the defensive line to press Tabitha the moment she drops deep,” said Ndlovu.
“They should force her to play with her back at goal and deny her the time to look up and spot Temwa’s runs.
“Midfielders must also choke the central channel to block direct vertical passing lanes between Tabitha and Temwa.”
Gotal will also need her forwards to be clinical with the few chances they get.
The Scorchers’ first-choice goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo had a good showing at Wafcon, providing 22 saves in six games.
However, she also conceded 10 goals during the campaign, pointing to underlying frailties and defensive lapses that should give the Mighty Warriors’ front line confidence to make attempts.
