Malawi’s Scorchers will have their prolific striking duo Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga available for the crucial Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola as they bid to reach their first-ever WAFCON finals.
The Chawinga sisters headline a 32-member provisional squad announced by head coach Lovemore Fazili ahead of the final round preliminary tie that could secure Malawi’s historic qualification for the 2026 tournament in Morocco.
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Fazili has included eight overseas-based professionals in total: the Chawinga sisters, Rose Kabzere (Montpellier), Faith Chinzimu (BK Hacken), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), and Vanessa Chikupira (FC BIIK-Kazygurt).
However, the coach confirmed that midfielder Lughalo Nyondo will not be available for the two-legged tie.
“We have been talking to her and at first she told us that she will be available, but four days later she told us that she is busy at her school and that she won’t be available,” Fazili explained.
“Large Squad With COSAFA in Mind”
The 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship-winning coach has selected 24 locally-based players, including four goalkeepers. Among them is Mercy Sikelo of Kukoma Ntopwa Women, who has fallen out of favor with supporters but retains the coach’s confidence.
Fazili justified the expanded squad size by pointing to upcoming commitments beyond the Angola tie.
“We have a big number of locals because we are also having in mind the COSAFA Cup that is coming in November,” he said. “We have four days to train and it will just be finalizing everything because the time is limited and we cannot be learning new practices as we had already done that before.”
Despite the magnitude of the fixture, Fazili played down concerns about pressure, expressing confidence in his squad’s ability to deliver a historic result.
“They will do better because they have a squad that is capable of doing better and making it to the WAFCON in 2026,” he said.
Victory over Angola would mark a watershed moment for Malawian women’s football, securing the nation’s maiden appearance at the continental showpiece.
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