Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili has tipped Asimenye Simwaka for the number 9 role, replacing Sabina Thom after her impressive performances in the team’s back-to-back 3-0 wins over Lesotho in weekend friendlies.

The 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship-winning coach experimented with his tactical approach, initially starting both Simwaka and Thom as center forwards in the first game before switching Thom to the wings while Simwaka led the forward line.

After scoring twice on Friday, Simwaka produced a blistering performance on Sunday with a hat-trick, while Thom contributed from the wings with two assists, giving Fazili fresh tactical options ahead of the Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola in October.

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“I tried Asimenye [Simwaka] as a number 9 because Sabina Thom has not given us what we wanted. Her club is playing her as a center forward where she is scoring goals, and in these two games she has convinced me that she can do better in that role,” said Fazili.

The coach also praised Thom’s wing play, noting she scored one goal and provided two assists in the team’s six goals across both matches. Both players are expected to feature in their new roles when the professionals join the squad.

“We have Temwa and Tabitha [Chawinga] who are not complete strikers but like to drift to the wings, so with how Simwaka has performed, I believe she will be used as a number 9 in coming games because her speed gives us an advantage for quick counter-attacks,” he added.

The MDF Lioness and multi-award-winning athlete scored five goals across the two matches in what she describes as her best performance in national team colors, encouraging her ahead of forthcoming fixtures.

Meanwhile, Fazili could be forced to make changes in goal after Thoko Mwase impressed with fine saves and quality distribution when given her starting opportunity in the second match.

The FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women goalkeeper was included in the squad to replace first-choice keeper Mercy Sikelo, who was with Kukoma Ntopwa Queens in South Africa at the COSAFA CAF Women’s Championship, where she conceded 11 goals in three matches.

On Friday, second-choice Yamikani Kaonga was trusted between the posts and managed a clean sheet, but struggled with her footwork, leaving Fazili unimpressed. Mwase then made two brilliant saves to demonstrate her class in the second match.

“Thoko [Mwase] was good today and has shown us that once given a chance, she can perform better. Her experience has helped her a lot, and I’m quite impressed with her performance,” said Fazili.

He also praised standout performances from Maureen Kenneth, whom he said “is small but has a big heart,” along with Leticia Chinyamula, Fanny Moyo, and Fatima Lali.

The Scorchers will face Angola in a two-legged tie in October 2025, with the winner qualifying for the 2026 WAFCON finals in Morocco. The team will also compete in the COSAFA Women’s Championship in the same month in South Africa.