Four FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women players started as the Scorchers wrapped up their back-to-back friendlies against Lesotho with another convincing 3-0 win at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
In the lineup for the Malawi Women’s National Football Team were goalkeeper Thokozani Mwase, defenders Bernadetta Mkandawire and Trizza Chiwere, and midfielder and club captain Zainab Kapanda — another proud day for the Maule Ladies on international duty.
First Half Action
Malawi started brightly, with Asimenye Simwaka of MDF Lioness looking lively in attack, but Mehalalitoe defended well in the early exchanges.
Lesotho nearly found the opener midway through the half, only for Mwase to pull off a superb close-range save. From the resulting corner, the visitors piled on the pressure, but Malawi cleared their lines.
The first changes of the afternoon came in the 27th minute, when Chiwere and Ascent Academy’s Yamikani Mkandawire were both withdrawn. Coach Lovemore Fazili brought on Maureen Kenneth to reinforce the backline and midfielder Fatima Lali, also from Ascent, to strengthen the attack.
Kapanda then went close to breaking the deadlock with a header that sailed wide of the post. Moments later, Mwase was called into action again, producing another brilliant one-on-one save after club teammate Mkandawire had been dispossessed in a dangerous area.
As the half wore on, Malawi began to turn dominance into chances. Kapanda picked out Sabina Thom, currently unattached after leaving TP Mazembe of the DRC, who earned a corner. Thom’s delivery was inch-perfect for Simwaka, who rose highest to head home and hand the Scorchers a 1-0 lead at the break.
Second Half Action
Seven minutes into the restart, in the 52nd minute, Bullets skipper Kapanda was forced off with an injury and replaced by Funny Moyo of Mighty Wanderers Queens.
The Scorchers pushed for a second and almost doubled their advantage, only to see an effort drift narrowly wide of the post. Their persistence was rewarded in the 71st minute, when Simwaka struck again, heading home from another precise Thom delivery to make it 2-0.
Just four minutes later, in the 75th minute, Simwaka completed her hat-trick with another header — this time connecting with a superb cross from Ireen Khumalo of Silver Strikers Ladies — sealing a commanding 3-0 victory.
With Mwase solid in goal and Bernadetta steady at the back, Malawi comfortably managed the closing stages. Five minutes of additional time were played, but the Scorchers remained in control to secure another clean-sheet win.
Bullets Women’s Involvement Across Both Matches
Over the two friendlies, four Maule Ladies saw action for the Scorchers. Bernadetta Mkandawire and Zainab Kapanda both completed the full 90 minutes in the first game.
In Sunday’s fixture, Thokozani Mwase played the entire match in goal while Trizza Chiwere was also handed minutes before being withdrawn in the first half. Mary Chavinda missed both games through injury.
Sharon Dzimau was included on the bench for both fixtures but did not feature.
The Scorchers secured back-to-back 3-0 victories over Lesotho, capping off a perfect international window and once again showcasing the strong contribution of Bullets Women to Malawi’s national team success.
