Tag Archives: Malawi Scorchers

Sports

Scorchers eye strong FIFA Series showing despite absence of Chawinga sisters

Shaffie A Mtambo Leave a comment

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Women’s National Football Team head coach Lovemore Fazili has expressed confidence that his side will deliver impressive results at the upcoming FIFA International Series, despite missing key players.

The tournament is set to run from April 11 to April 15, 2026, with the Scorchers already in Kenya preparing for their opening match against Australia.

Fazili acknowledged the absence of star players Tabitha Chawinga and her sister Temwa Chawinga, describing it as a significant setback for the team.

Both players have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries, a development that has disappointed many Malawian football fans who were eager to see the duo in action.

However, reports gathered by the MaraviPost sports desk indicate that Temwa Chawinga’s club, Kansas City Current, declined to release her for national duty.The American club reportedly made the decision to protect the striker’s fitness as she continues recovering from a long term injury.

This means the Scorchers will have to navigate the competition without two of their most influential attacking players.

Despite this challenge, Fazili remains optimistic, stating that the squad he has assembled is capable of rising to the occasion.

He emphasized that the tournament presents an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their quality on the international stage.

The Scorchers are scheduled to face Australia in their first match before playing either Kenya or India in their second fixture on April 15,2026.

Football analyst Ibrahim Phiri has also weighed in on the development, describing the absence of the Chawinga sisters as unfortunate.

Phiri, however, encouraged the remaining players to seize the moment and demonstrate their ability, saying this is a chance to show that Malawi has depth in women’s football.

Regional, Sports

Malawi’ Scorchers face tough COSAFA Group A draw

Shaffie A Mtambo

CAPE TOWN-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, have been handed a challenging task following the draw for the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship.

Malawi has been placed in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Lesotho and Angola. The group features a mix of experience and ambition.

Group A is packed with teams known for competitiveness and regional pedigree. South Africa enter the competition as record seven time COSAFA champions.

The team’s dominance in women’s football makes them clear favourites. Lesotho and Angola, meanwhile, are respected for their physical and tactical approach.

As hosts, South Africa are widely viewed as the biggest hurdle for the Scorchers. Playing on home soil gives them a psychological advantage.

Sports analyst Williams Chande has described the group as difficult but manageable for Malawi. Speaking to MaraviPost, Chande said the Scorchers have grown in confidence.

He noted that the team now plays with better organization.According to him, belief will be key in tough matches.

Chande also revealed that head coach Lovemore Fazili has identified South Africa as the team to beat.The technical panel is focusing on tactical discipline. Mental strength has also been emphasized.

According to Chande the matches against Lesotho and Angola are expected to be closely contested. Both teams are known for their physical play. Malawi will need consistency to secure positive results. Any mistake could prove costly in such a competitive group.

The COSAFA Women’s Championship will run from 18 February to 1 March 2026.The Scorchers will also draw inspiration from their 2023 COSAFA title win.

Regional, Sports

“Scorchers will go to Morocco to compete, not to experiment”-assures Malawi FA President Haiya

Shaffie A Mtambo

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya says the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, will travel to Morocco with a clear mission to compete at the highest level rather than to merely test their capabilities.

Addressing journalists during a media briefing, Haiya said FAM has ensured that the team undergoes thorough preparations, including arranging targeted friendly matches to strengthen tactical cohesion and readiness ahead of the upcoming WAFCON tournament.

He further disclosed that FAM is working on introducing a Four Nations Tournament, which is expected to become a permanent feature of the Scorchers’ long-term development agenda.

Dates for the tournament and participating nations will be announced once consultations are finalized.

Haiya explained that the tournament will give the team consistent international engagement, helping Malawi to maintain competitive form beyond the qualifiers.

The FAM president extended his appreciation to government institutions and development partners for their financial and logistical support, saying the assistance has enabled the Scorchers to meet crucial qualification requirements.

He also applauded the media for continuously promoting women’s football by ensuring that the Scorchers’ achievements are well covered, a move he said helps motivate the players and increase public support.

The Scorchers secured their spot at WAFCON after defeating Angola 2–0 in a decisive qualifier played at Bingu National Stadium on 28 October 2025, a result Haiya described as a historic step in Malawi’s women’s football journey.

Haiya said he is delighted with the team’s continuous progress, noting that since the Scorchers’ formation in 1998, there has been steady improvement, culminating in consistent appearances in major qualification campaigns.

Two of the teams that Malawi faced during the WAFCON qualifiers are expected to participate in the upcoming Four-Nations Tournament, giving the Scorchers an opportunity to evaluate their strength against familiar opponents.

According to Haiya, one of FAM’s key ambitions is to guide the Scorchers toward qualifying for the Women’s World Cup and eventually achieving a top finish at WAFCON.

He added that these objectives are attainable with discipline, planning, and sustained investment.

Haiya also reported that FAM has fulfilled 98% of its targets for 2025 but admitted that securing sponsorship for beach soccer remains a challenge.

However, he confirmed that discussions with a potential sponsor are currently underway.

He clarified that although securing sponsorship is not solely the association’s responsibility, FAM is committed to finalizing all ongoing negotiations to ensure all football disciplines grow.

Responding to questions about the Flames’ performance, Haiya said the men’s national team has achieved its 2025 target by improving its FIFA ranking from 134 to 128, adding that further improvements are expected with continued effort.

He concluded by saying that the Scorchers’ technical panel should not feel pressured by the WAFCON targets.

Instead, he said the expectations should serve as motivation for the players and staff as they work toward realizing the dream of qualifying for the Women’s World Cup.

Sports

Scorchers attribute WAFCON win to NBM plc support

MaraviPost

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi National Women’s Football team coach, Lovemore Fazili, and captain Tabitha Chawinga have attributed their 2–0 win against Angola, which secured their qualification for the Women AFCON finals, to the strong support they have received from their sponsors, National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc.

The Scorchers sealed their spot after defeating Angola 2–0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Tuesday, thanks to a late brace from Faith Chimzimu in the 80th and 81st minutes.

The team after the first leg ended goalless in Luanda, Angola.

Speaking after the match, Fazili commended the team’s resilience and acknowledged the crucial role played by Malawians and NBM plc in the team’s success.

“Thank you to all Malawians for supporting us. It is not very easy; Angola was a very tough team. Winning 2–0 at home is a great achievement. I also want to thank the entire technical panel, the players, and most especially the leadership of my captain, who has been instrumental in helping us reach the finals.”

“We would also like to thank our sponsors, National Bank of Malawi plc, for their generous support. They have helped us improve women’s football in Malawi through their sponsorship of the women’s league, which has contributed greatly to the growth and performance of the national team,” said Fazili.

Chawinga expressed joy and gratitude, describing the victory as a moment of national pride.

“This game was so tough, but we fought until the end and won 2–0. We are supposed to be happy, and I believe this happiness is not just for us players, but for the whole country, and all Malawians are happy.

“The way we qualified shows our hard work and unity. I want to thank our coach for the great guidance and also our sponsor, NBM plc, for their support. This victory is also for them,” said Chawinga.

NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Hiwa hailed the team’s qualification as a proud moment for both the nation and the Bank’s ongoing partnership with the Scorchers.

“We are extremely happy to be part of this historic moment, the first time our women’s football team, the Scorchers, has qualified for the finals in any sport. We are already seeing the fruits of our efforts, and this qualification is a testament to that.”

“As the team heads to Morocco, we have every confidence that they will make Malawi proud. As the Bank of the Nation, we are proud to be driving growth in women’s football and supporting our own customers on this incredible journey,” said Hiwa.

NBM plc announced a sports sponsorship of K1.58 billion, which includes support for the Scorchers, the introduction of the national women’s football tournament, the first major league title sponsorship of its kind in Malawi, and initiatives for coaches’ development.

This investment is aimed at elevating and developing women’s football in the country.

Regional, Sports

Fazili confident as Scorchers secure crucial away draw against Angola

Shaffie A Mtambo

Malawi 0-0 Angola…

LUANDA-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Women’s National Football Team Head Coach, Lovemore Fazili, says the goalless draw against Angola in Luanda on Thursday has given his side renewed belief as they eye a historic qualification to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Scorchers, who dominated much of the first-leg encounter at Estádio 11 de Novembro, displayed impressive teamwork and attacking intent but were left frustrated after failing to find the back of the net despite several clear opportunities.

“We played better football than Angola. I expected us to score in the first half but luck was not on our side. However, I’m proud of the effort and discipline from the girls,” Fazili said after the match.

The experienced tactician remains optimistic that his side will complete the job in the return leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 28, where a victory would secure Malawi’s first-ever qualification to the continental finals.

“It’s not easy to play away from home but we managed to get a result. The players have promised to finish the job in front of our supporters. We are determined to make history,” Fazili added confidently.

The Scorchers took control from kickoff, with Rose Kabzere, Faith Chimzimu and Asimenye Simwaka combining well in attack.

Led by captain Tabitha Chawinga, Malawi’s fluid passing and high pressing forced Angola to sit deep for most of the game.

Chawinga came close in the 34th minute after her low shot rolled inches wide of the post.

The Scorchers’ best moment arrived midway through the second half when Chawinga’s pace and power carved open Angola’s defense to set up Simwaka, whose strike narrowly missed the target.

As the game wore on, Tabitha’s curling free-kick in the 84th minute was blocked by the wall summing up a frustrating night for Malawi’s forwards.

Despite the missed chances, Fazili was full of praise for his players’ overall discipline and determination.

“Our goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo was solid, the defense was composed and the midfield controlled the tempo. The forwards kept pressing. We played our game plan perfectly we just need to score at home,” he said.

The Scorchers are now expected to return home on Friday to resume training ahead of the decisive second leg.

The team will be banking on the electric atmosphere at Bingu National Stadium and the support of local fans to push them across the line.

Malawi has never qualified for the WAFCON finals before and a win next week would mark a groundbreaking moment for women’s football in the country one that could inspire a new generation of female footballers.