Tag Archives: 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship

Malawi, Sports

2026 Cosafa Women’s Championship: Scorchers miss the last four by a whisker

Maravi Post Reporter

….Malawi 1-0 Angola

By Edwin Mbewe


POLOKWANE—(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Women’s National Football team were eliminated from the 2026 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship on Tuesday despite a narrow 1-0 victory over Angola, as results elsewhere conspired against them.

Malawi needed not only a win but favourable outcomes in other group matches to advance to the semifinals as one of the best losers.

However, both Zambia and Zimbabwe kept their own campaigns alive — the Copper Queens defeating Eswatini 2-1, while Zimbabwe thumped Botswana 1-0 — leaving the Scorchers with no path through.

Malawi’s lone goal came in the 77th minute when defender-cum-midfielder Ireen Khumala converted a free-kick to break a goalless first half deadlock.

The Silver Strikers Ladies player was later voted Player of the Match.

It was a bittersweet end to a tournament that started poorly for the reigning 2023 champions, who suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their group opener.

The Scorchers responded strongly, however, thrashing Lesotho 8-1 before Tuesday’s win over Angola.
Coach Lovemore Fazili described the early exit as painful but remained measured in his assessment.

“It is a painful exit, but I have to thank the girls for the beautiful play. Today we performed better than in the two previous games.

“All in all, we have learned a lot from this championship, and it gives us a chance to rectify things before we leave for Morocco for WAFCON,” said Fazili.

South Africa finished top of Group A and have qualified for the semifinals. In Group C, Mozambique and Madagascar will battle it out for the remaining semifinal spot on February 25.

Despite the early exit, Malawi have reason for optimism — the Scorchers have qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time in their history, a landmark achievement that will keep spirits high heading into their Morocco preparations.

The team won the COSAFA Women’s Championship title for the first time in 2023, defeating Zambia 2-1 in the final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Regional, Sports

Zambia FA reaffirms Copper Queens’ Participation in 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship

Shaffie A Mtambo

LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has officially confirmed that the Copper Queens will participate in the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship slated for February 18 to March 1 in Polokwane, South Africa.

FAZ Head of Media and Communications, Nkweto Tembwe, said the association has already written to COSAFA to formally communicate Zambia’s participation in this year’s regional tournament.

The confirmation follows reports circulating on social media suggesting that Copper Queens head coach Nora Hauptle would not be involved in the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship, claims which FAZ has strongly dismissed.

Tembwe explained that the confusion arose due to the Copper Queens’ commitments during the FIFA international window, which will see the team engaged in high level matches in the United Arab Emirates.

He said coach Hauptle will retain the core of the national team for the international assignment, while a different squad will be assembled to represent Zambia at the COSAFA tournament.

According to Tembwe, the COSAFA squad will mainly consist of locally based players, complemented by selected players from the Under-17, Under-20 and senior national teams.

He clarified that during her interaction with journalists at the Met Sports Centre in Lusaka, coach Hauptle did not rule out participation in COSAFA, contrary to what was reported online.

Instead, the coach highlighted the need to manage the squad strategically to allow key players to focus on preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Tembwe reiterated that FAZ places equal importance on all competitions, noting that tournaments like COSAFA play a crucial role in the growth and development of football.

He said the hybrid COSAFA squad will offer an opportunity to assess more players for possible future inclusion in the senior national team.

Tembwe also revealed that coach Hauptle may not be physically present at the tournament, as another coach could be assigned to lead the team in Polokwane.

However, he emphasized that Hauptle will closely monitor the COSAFA Championship as part of the broader technical plan for the Copper Queens.

Sports

Malawi’ Scochers target COSAFA final as Coach Fazili names 32 player provisional squad

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Women’s National Football Team head coach Lovemore Fazili has declared that his main ambition is to see the Scorchers reach the final of the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship, which kicks off on February 17 this year.

Fazili made the remarks following the release of a provisional squad of 32 players who are expected to enter camp in the coming week as preparations for the regional tournament intensify.

One notable feature of the squad is the inclusion of seven goalkeepers, a move Fazili says is deliberate and aimed at creating stiff competition in the goalkeeping department.

The selected goalkeepers are Mercy Sikelo, Thoko Mwase, Yamikani Kaonga, Martha Mabwe, Jane Nyirenda, Bridget Malemia and Esther Maulidi.

These goalkeepers come from various local clubs including FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women, MDF Lioness, Civil Service Women and Mighty Wanderers Queens.

In defence, Fazili has named players such as Chimwemwe Madise, Ireen Khumalo, Rose Alufandika, Maggie Chavula, Doreen Dickson, Benadetta Mkandawire and Justina Jumbo.

The defenders represent a mix of local and international experience, with clubs such as Silver Strikers Ladies, Ascent Soccer Academy, Civil Service Women and DR Congo giants TP Mazembe represented.

The midfield department includes several established names, among them Madina Nguluwe, Jessie Yosefe, Asimenye Simwaka, Lyna James, Funny Magombo and Catherine Kachala.

These midfielders are drawn from clubs like Silver Strikers Ladies, MDF Lioness, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Kukoma Ntopwa, giving the team balance and creativity in the middle of the park.

Up front, the Scorchers will rely on Debora Henry, Mary Chavinda, Vitumbiko Mkandawire, Chikondi Gondwe, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupila, Tendai Sani and Chisomo Banda.The forwards play their trade at different clubs including Silver Strikers Ladies, Phoenix Football Feminin, Palm Hills Women’s FC, ZISD and Konkola Blades Queens.

The Scorchers head into the 2026 COSAFA Championship with confidence, having won the regional title in 2023.