The Scorchers caused an upset as they came from a goal down to beat Zambia 3-2 at Lusaka’s Woodlands Stadium.
Racheal Kundananji gave the Copper Queens the lead in the seventh minute.
The Copper Queens had more possession and dominated the first half.
After the break, Zambia started on the back foot and were pegged back after a costly mistake from Lushomo Mweemba.
Mweemba failed to control Martha Tembo’s pass and French based teenage midfielder Rose Kabzere took advantage and pounced on the ball.
The Montpellier youngster unleashed a shot which goalkeeper Ngambo Musole failed to deal with.
Nine minutes later Malawi scored two quick goals in two minutes to silence the home crowd.
Faith Chimzimu and Sabina Thom scored the second and third goal respectively with skipper Tabitha Chawinga involved in both.
The Copper Queens lost their shape and structure.
Trailing 3-1 at home, it was until the 78 minute that they tried to regain composure with substitute Mercy Chipasula pulling the strings.
Two minutes later Chipasula’s pin point cross was nodded home by Racheal Nachula.
Zambia pushed for an equaliser. Skipper Barbra Banda who dropped into midfield after the substitution of injured Evarine Katongo hit the crossbar.
In stoppage time, Nachula could have leveled the scores but missed a sitter after a well drilled move involving Maltidah Makungu and Martha Tembo
FULL TIME: Zambia W 2-3 Malawi W (Rachel Kundanaji 5′, Rachel Nachula 80′ | Rose Kabzere 47′, Faith Chimzimu 56′, Sabina Thom 58′)
