The Malawi Under-17 national women’s football team yesterday bowed out of the Under-17 Cosafa Championship after losing 3-1 in post-match penalties to Zambia at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The hosts came from behind twice to level this scores through enterprising Rose Kabzere’s brace after Jessy Zulu and Zangose Zulu scored for the Junior Copper Queens in the second and 62nd minutes, respectively.

Kabzere, who has lit up the youth showpiece with her five-star displays, was again voted player-of-the-match. She also won the accolade during the 12-0 thrashing of Namibia after scoring five goals.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has since commended the girls for putting up a brave fight.

FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said: “As FAM, we are very impressed with the team’s performance considering that this is the first time they are playing at this level.

“To have made it into the semi-finals is not a mean achievement. They put up a gallant fight today against Zambia to force a draw in regulation time before losing on postmatch penalties.

“The coach [Trevor] Kajawa has done a good job and these girls represent the future of the Scorchers.”

Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga also hailed the team for their good performance.

“The future of women’s football looks bright. I played at Cosafa Senior Women’s Championship with this young girl Rose Kabzere of Ascent Soccer Academy and she is a rare gem,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Kajawa hailed her charges for their fighting spirit.

He said: “We matched Zambia pound-for-pound. Unfortunately, penalties are like lottery and they can go either way.

“Nevertheless, we need to keep this team together.”

Kajawa said they will still fight to win bronze in the third-place play-off.

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