Malawi look as though they have secured one of their ‘big guns’ for the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship with experienced defender Chisomo Kazisonga set to compete at the tournament.

The regional showpiece event will be held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from September 13-24 and has been expanded to 12 teams for the first time.

Austria-based Kazisonga will be an important piece of the puzzle for the She-Flames, and says she is on course to link up with the national team by the weekend.

“Everything is set for me but I just have some few things which am sorting out at Vienna University where I’m doing my studies, when am done am hoping to leave for Malawi before the end of this week,” Kazisonga was quoted by the Nyasa Times.

Kazisonga, who plays for FC Altera Porta, has the potential to be one of the stars of the Southern African championship, and her presence will increase the She-Flames’ chances of success.

“In football everything is possible, you cannot judge a team based on previous performance because things do change, so I believe Malawi is capable of doing better. We just need to encourage each other and motivate the young players,” she said.

Malawi have been drawn in a difficult Group A that also includes hosts Zimbabwe, Zambia and Madagascar. They reached the semifinals when the competition was last played, also in Zimbabwe in 2011, but were ousted by eventual runners-up South Africa.

Malawi will open their 2017 campaign against Zambia (September 13), before clashes with Madagascar (September 15) and Zimbabwe (September 17). All of these matches will be played at the Barbourfields Stadium.

The top team in each pool advances to the semifinals, along with the best second-placed side.