Malawi women’s national football team coach, Maggie Chombo-Sadik, says she is capable of guiding the She-Flames to silverware at the COSAFA Women’s Championship that will be staged in Nelson Mandela Bay from September 12 to 22.

Chombo-Sadik, a stand-out leader in woman’s football in Malawi, told Malawi News that the time had come for her to start a new chapter in her career.

“As a pioneer of women’s football in the country, I am ready for this challenge. Having played women’s football, it feels good to be at the helm of the national team,” she says.

Chombo-Sadik, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career, says her target is to win all their group games and go past the knockout stage.

Malawi are in Group B with South Africa, Botswana and Madagascar.

“We beat Madagascar 6-3 last year but we must not be complacent. Botswana are also a good team, but they are coming from a long break. South Africa are obviously strong in attack so we need to be careful with our defending,” she says.

Chombo-Sadik was the deputy to the then Malawi coach Steward Mbolembole at last year’s championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Mbolembole resigned recently, paving the way for Chombo-Sadik’s appointment.

“I am sure that the experience I gained last year during the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Zimbabwe will come handy this time,” she said.

However, Malawi have been dealt a blow as skipper Tabitha Chawinga, who plays for Jiangsu Sunning in China, is doubtful for the competition, just like her younger sister Temwa and Sabina Thom.

Temwa and Thom are on the books of Kvarnsveden in Sweden’s second-tier league.

In the trio’s absence, Malawi might bank on in-form striker Linda Kasenda.

By Peter Kanjere