Fans Question Deborah Henry’s Omission from Scorchers Squad

Football fans in Malawi have flooded the Football Association of Malawi’s official page to question the absence of Silver Strikers Women forward Deborah Henry from the Scorchers’ 25-member squad ahead of the three-nations tournament slated for November 28 to December 2 this year.

Most comments on the page have questioned why Henry, who is the leading scorer in the National Bank of Malawi National Women’s Premiership with 15 goals from 10 games, has been sidelined for other players who have scored just four goals in the league.

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On Friday, Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili made one change to the squad that beat Angola 2-0 on aggregate to qualify for the first-ever Women’s African Cup of Nations as they prepare for the three-nations tournament, which includes giants Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Fazili had included Henry in the preliminary call-up ahead of the Angola clash, which was her first-ever call-up, but had a large squad to also prepare for the COSAFA Women’s Championship before it was rescheduled to next year. The Silver forward’s name missed out in the WAFCON Qualifiers squad.

Deborah Henry’s Record

The forward holds a seven-goal lead in the golden boot race in the prestigious NBM Premiership after taking the league by storm, scoring past every team she has faced.

She has 15 goals in just 10 games in the league, making her the deadliest forward in the competition and has won the most player-of-the-match awards, claiming them in multiple matches.

Henry failed to score in the league’s opener but has now scored in nine consecutive matches, proving herself to be a regular goal scorer.

Meanwhile, Fazili has opted for three MDF Lioness forwards: regulars Asimenye Simwaka and Sabina Thom plus Catherine Kachala. Coincidentally, the trio have four goals each to their names in the league.

They are also behind Ascent Academy duo Mayamiko Mkandawire and Leticia Chinyamula, who have eight goals each. Tawina Kawaga of Mighty Wanderers Queens has six goals, while Vitumbiko Mkandawire of Civil Women and Scorchers Under-20 forward Kondawo Banda have five goals each.

Coach’s Explanation

Speaking after announcing the squad, Lovemore Fazili made it clear that he is focusing on final preparations for WAFCON and not assessing players, which could be a reason for Henry’s exclusion.

“I think we are done trying players and now we are making final touches for the WAFCON, so we are not assessing players,” said Fazili.

However, he offered hope to players who are performing well in the league, saying they still have a chance to be included in the squad.

“A chance is still open for every player to join the squad if her performance is good, and we don’t know what can happen to these 25 players. There are injuries and other things, so we can consider them,” added Fazili.

The three-nations tournament has been organized by the Football Association of Malawi to provide the Scorchers with a proper platform to prepare for the WAFCON tournament slated for next year.

FAM had planned to have four teams, with at least two being teams that qualified for the same tournament, but South Africa turned down the invitation. Zimbabwe and Zambia will compete in the tournament.