Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili has defended first-choice goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo, arguing that the team’s defensive instability, not the goalkeeper, is the real issue exposing the team.

Fazili made these comments on Monday at the Mpira Village while announcing his 27-member squad for upcoming friendlies against Lesotho on August 29th and 31st, 2025, at the Mpira Stadium.

The coach praised the Kukoma Ntopwa Queens shot-stopper, describing her as currently the best goalkeeper in the country, and suggested that critics only focus on the negative aspects of her game.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

“We have come from afar with her and she has done a lot for the team which people don’t see. I would say she is a good goalkeeper and the big problem that we have is the defence, not the goalkeeper,” said Fazili.

Fazili also defended his decision to recall professional football returnees Mary Chavinda, Bernadetter Mkandawire, and Sabina Thom, stating he has analyzed their current form and believes they are in good condition to contribute to the team.

The coach will use the two Lesotho matches as preparation for the Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola in October and the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

“We will not have our professional players because the games will be played outside the FIFA calendar, that’s why we have these local players. Some of them will be there when we play against Angola, and it’s also good to have a team of local players so they get motivated and develop into regular players,” he explained.

Notably absent from the squad are Kukoma Ntopwa Queens players, including Sikelo, as they will be competing in South Africa for the COSAFA CAF Women’s Championship, which begins on August 22nd, 2025.

Fazili has replaced Sikelo with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women goalkeeper Thokozani Mwase, whom he described as experienced and capable of filling the void left by Sikelo’s absence.

The team has already played six friendly matches in preparation, facing Zambia twice, South Africa twice, Morocco, and Angola. Their record shows one victory and five defeats in this preparation phase.

The Scorchers will be seeking their first-ever qualification for the WAFCON finals in Morocco if they can overcome Angola in the two-legged qualifying matches scheduled for October this year.