By Edwin Mbewe
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Women’s football team (Scorchers) leave the country for Casablanca, Morocco, Monday morning, June 16, 2025 ahead of the international friendly match against the Atlas Lionesses on Thursday, 19th June.
The team will leave through Chileka International Airport via OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.
Head Coach Lovemore Fazili will travel with all the 24 players he called into camp last week, including the five foreign based players; Tabitha Chawinga, Rose Kabzere, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupira and Bernadettar Mkandawire
Fazili believes the friendly match will strengthen the team ahead of the 2026 Wafcon qualifying match against Angola in October.
“We had a wonderful week of training camp at Mpira Village. There were some players who had knocks. The doctors took care of them, and everyone is now fit and ready for the journey.
“Being one of the strong teams in Africa, the friendly match against Morocco is going to give our players confidence as we prepare for Angola in October.
“We have worked on our defense and goalkeeping which had some weaknesses in the previous encounter against South Africa and Zambia. Its not about defeating Morocco but to continue building good combinations with the players, of course winning it’s going to be a bonus and motivation to the players. We hope to do better in Casablanca”, said Fazili.
The following is the full traveling squad:
GOALKEPEERS
Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), and Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies)
DEFENDERS
Benadetta Mkandawire (Biik Kazygurt), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Women)
MIDFIELDERS
Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Faith Chimzimu (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Jessie Yosefe (Civo Service Women), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier) Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Victoria Mkwala (Ascent Academy)
ATTACKERS
Vanessa Chikupila (Biik Kazygurt), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies), Tabitha Chawinga (Ol Lyonnes), Sabina Thom (Lanchkhuti), Fatima Lali (Ascent Academy)
