By Franklin M Malambo
After Zambia demolished Egypt 6–0, I indicated that a completely different approach would be required against Nigeria. The 1–0 loss on Saturday night was, in parts, painful to watch, but an opportunity for redemption now arrives in the form of the Scorchers of Malawi in what may be a swim or sink affair.
How then should the Copper Queens approach this match, especially considering that, like Nigeria, Malawi may match Zambia’s physical profile and demand a different tactical approach?
Sometimes, winning a football match is just about getting the basics right and here I look at some of those basics.
𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸
• Against a physical and forceful Malawi side, Zambia must avoid turning the contest into a battle of strength alone as they largely did against Nigeria.
• The Copper Queens should move the ball quickly, use combination play and make intelligent runs that force Malawi to work harder defensively than they would when the ball is simply played in front of them.
I would suggest a different focal point like Ochumba as having her there always changes the approach. It makes the team play and then Banda and Co could play off her.
• Rather than repeatedly playing direct balls into the final third where certainty isn’t there of retention, the team must look to create overloads in wide areas, combine quickly and attack the spaces behind Malawi’s defensive line (this is where pace becomes key rather than when everything happens in front of the defenders)
• Midfielders should make late runs into the penalty area, while cut-backs from wide areas may provide better scoring opportunities than predictable crosses into crowded spaces. (It’s through this that you see the best of Grace Chanda)
• Should Malawi decide to sit deep, a player like Eneless Phiri becomes important as she can eliminate via dribbling tha those that may only eliminate though pace and Power.
𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲
• The Copper Queens must remain compact, organized and prepared for Malawi’s direct and aggressive approach. (If the high line will be present again, the goalkeeper must have an early start and always be ready to Moap up especially that all her central defenders aren’t gifted with great recovery speed)
• Protect the spaces between the defensive and midfield lines to prevent Malawi from finding room to build attacks.
• The best way to prevent the Chawinga sister from wrecking havoc is by cutting supply, in 1V1 duesls, they may be hard to deal with.
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• When possession is lost, Zambia must react immediately to prevent early launches forward, the nearest players should apply quick pressure around the ball, while the rest of the team recovers into a compact defensive shape.
• When possession is regained, Zambia should look to move the ball forward quickly and exploit any spaces left by Malawi’s aggressive approach.(This is where a quick long ball forward may be effective rather than after or in normal build up play)
• The Copper Queens must remain composed in transition and avoid forcing passes when the opportunity to attack is not available (Having been together 6+ years now, this team must have the maturity to retain the ball – as Nigeria demonstrated over us after going down. This is where the Rondos done in training are applied)
𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀
• Zambia must expect Malawi to use their physical strength aggressively during corners and free kicks and similarly, the team must look to use their set pieces more effectively when they arise because in tough matches, these could be the difference between getting a result or not.
In conclusion, may I say that I trust the technical team has done their homework and will deliver for Zambia, after all, they are qualified and well tested to make the team swim than sink.
All the best to the Copper Queens.
#FootballMissionary | 2026.08.04 | 🖼️ FAZ Facebook
