Investment Closes the Gap
Malawi’s 7-0 win over Zimbabwe did not happen in isolation. It reflects the value of deliberately investing in women’s football and giving a national team regular opportunities to test itself internationally.
The Scorchers’ upcoming trip to China is another example. They will face Albania on 28 November, Thailand on 1 December and hosts China on 4 December - opponents with different styles that can challenge the squad and help the technical team prepare.
If we want to close the gap, we must look beyond the scoreline and ask what is being built around the team: how often our players compete internationally, how they are supported, and whether preparation is consistent. Results like 7-0 are painful, but they also show why sustained investment in the women’s game matters.
The debate continues - from the discussion on her Facebook page. Batson Nkoma pushed back: “7-0 was NOT about investment alone. Same Malawi, same players, we beat them 2-1 in the 4-Nations in Lilongwe last December.” Kay-Dee’s reply: “Definitely not about investment alone. It’s a myriad of reasons. I am a firm believer that resourcing is a good place to start, and it’s not limited to financial resources - even human capital, expertise - which are some of the things you touched on.”
Continues from: Beyond the Scoreline: Zimbabwe Women’s Football Needs a Reset (October 2026).