The Scorchers will return to action to face the Black Queens at Al Madina Stadium in a decisive encounter, with the winner set to qualify for the semi-finals and secure a direct ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup slated for Brazil.
Fazili has acknowledged the history and understanding shared between the two sides but maintained that only performance on the day would determine the outcome.
Malawi knows a lot is at stake
“We are very prepared for the game. We are serious because there is a lot at stake. We are supposed to get a win in Sunday’s game,” Fazili told reporters ahead of the game.
“I am sure we are going there seriously to give out everything so that we can be victorious. If we go through, it means we are going to play at the World Cup next year. This is something everybody is looking for.”
Malawi will head into the fixture having lost their last final group fixture 2-1 against Zambia. Meanwhile, Ghana secured a 1-1 draw against Mali to qualify for the knockout stage.
“I totally agree that we lost that game against Zambia, but positively, I think we played very well. Especially in the second half, we managed to fight back. We got one goal and at the end of the game we were down 2-1,” added Fazili.
Malawi will head into the fixture buoyed by a string of disciplined performances in the group stage, where their defensive organisation and quick transitions proved effective.
“But we were on top of the game and played very well. Whatever we left from the Zambia game, I think we have taken it into the Ghana game. The players are hungry and want to continue from where they left in the second half against Zambia,” added Fazili.
The Scorchers will be without three key players for the quarter-final. Sabina Thom has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, while Leticia Chinyamula and Madyina Nguluwe are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.
“Definitely, we are going to miss the three because they contributed a lot in the three games we played. But we have plan B for their replacements and they are good players as well,” continued Fazili.
“I am very sure they are going to deliver. These are also players who need to be given a chance to play and start this coming game.”
With the winner securing a place in the FIFA World Cup, Fazili maintained it will be good if the Scorchers give Malawians their first appearance in the global tournament.
Malawi eyes on FIFA World Cup
“A win is very important because this is what Malawians have been looking for. This is what the Football Association has been looking for. It will be a very good thing to give to Malawians that we have qualified to play at the World Cup next year,” affirmed Fazili.
“This also goes to the President of the Football Association of Malawi, Fleetwood Haiya, and the entire FAM Secretariat. For us and the players, this achievement would be huge, and we would celebrate together with Malawians because it has never happened before.”
This will be the third meeting between Malawi and Ghana in recent times. The two sides met last year in an international friendly which ended 3-1 in favour of the Black Queens, before meeting again in July this year, when Ghana won 4-0 in another friendly match.
The encounter represents a major opportunity for Malawi to underline their growing status in African women’s football, with a victory over Ghana likely to be seen as a defining moment for the Scorchers.
