FAM Eye Four-Nations Tournament, Friendlies for Scorchers WAFCON Preps

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) is planning to host a four-nations women’s tournament as part of thorough preparations for the Scorchers ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled for next year in Morocco.

This was announced by the Association’s president, Fleetwood Haiya, on Thursday when making a statement celebrating the team’s WAFCON qualification.

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Haiya said FAM is delighted that Malawi has qualified for the continental tournament for the very first time, highlighting that this achievement was part of his manifesto vision.

“Previously when the team played games, it was just COSAFA and they needed to wait again for another COSAFA tournament. But we put much effort into the team, and after their COSAFA win two years ago, we saw potential—that’s why we invested a lot. That equal salary with the Flames is part of that,” said Haiya.

Haiya revealed that FAM has set plans for proper preparations as they want the team to reach the World Cup by finishing in the top four of the WAFCON tournament, which will act as World Cup qualifiers for teams that reach the semi-finals.

“We are planning to have more friendlies and at some point host a four-nations women’s tournament. We will target at least two countries that have also qualified for WAFCON, and to save costs and other things, it will be played here [in Malawi]. Once done, we will confirm the teams to come,” he added.

Haiya thanked all the sponsors whose support led to the team’s qualification, with the National Bank of Malawi earning particular praise for their package supporting the Scorchers and the National Women’s Premiership.

However, he expressed dissatisfaction over the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to add four countries to WAFCON who did not qualify but were chosen based on FIFA rankings, taking the tally of teams to 16 from 12. Haiya said this adjustment could complicate their top-four hopes.

The Scorchers qualified for the tournament after beating Angola 2-0 on aggregate, thanks to goals from Faith Chinzimu, having failed to qualify in several previous attempts.