Malawi Under-17 women’s national team head into a crucial World Cup qualifier against Burundi on Saturday with confidence, despite trailing after the first leg of the tie.
The Young Scorchers will play away at Stade Intwari in Bujumbura on 18 April, needing to overturn a 2-1 aggregate deficit suffered in the opening match at Bingu National Stadium. A place in the next round of qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is at stake.
Head coach Chisomo Nkhoma has expressed belief in her team’s ability to respond, saying preparations have focused on both mental readiness and physical conditioning ahead of the decisive encounter.
“The girls are mentally prepared and physically fit. We may have missed opportunities in the first leg, but I am optimistic that we will carry the day against Burundi,” she said.
Malawi were left to rue missed chances in the first leg, where they created several promising opportunities but failed to convert them into goals. That inefficiency ultimately proved costly, allowing Burundi to take a narrow advantage into the return fixture.
Since then, the coaching staff has prioritised sharpening the team’s tactical execution. Particular attention has been given to improving composure in front of goal, an area identified as a key weakness in the previous match. Defensive organisation has also been reinforced as the team seeks to avoid conceding in a high-pressure away environment.
The challenge for Malawi is significant. Playing away from home, they must produce a disciplined and clinical performance to overturn the deficit. At the same time, they must manage the threat posed by a Burundi side that already holds the advantage and will be buoyed by home support.
Despite these hurdles, optimism remains within the Malawi camp. The players are said to be focused and determined, aware that a turnaround would keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The stakes extend beyond this match. The winner of the two-legged tie will progress to the next stage of the qualification campaign, where they will face either South Sudan or Ethiopia.
For Malawi, Saturday’s match represents both a test of resilience and an opportunity for redemption after the missed chances of the first leg. A strong performance in Bujumbura could see them advance, while defeat would end their journey in the competition.
As the Young Scorchers prepare to take to the pitch, all eyes will be on whether they can translate their preparations into the result they need.
