Scorchers frustrated in Angola but poised to complete WAFCON qualification at home

Malawi’s Women’s National Football Team dominated proceedings but were left frustrated after failing to capitalize on their chances in a 0-0 draw away to Angola on Thursday in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.

The Scorchers created the better opportunities and will now return home with confidence that they can finish the job at Bingu National Stadium on October 28, with the winner securing a historic first-ever WAFCON finals appearance.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

The build-up to this crucial encounter had been meticulous on Malawi’s part. Head Coach Lovemore Fazili put his squad through intensive training and friendly matches against Zambia, Morocco, and South Africa to sharpen the team’s readiness for competitive action. The preparation received significant backing from the team’s sponsors, with National Bank of Malawi chartering a plane for the team to minimize travelling time and ensure the players arrived in Luanda in good shape according to the Nation Online.

However, preparations were dealt a significant blow just days before departure. Vice-captain Temwa Chawinga, the US-based forward and 2024 NWSL Most Valuable Player, ruled herself out due to a groin injury sustained during a Women’s National Soccer League match between Kansas City Current and Houston Dash. The striker, who had scored 14 goals in the current NWSL campaign, was taken off the pitch in a wheelchair in the 25th minute after appearing to grip her upper leg.

Fazili admitted Temwa’s absence was a setback but expressed confidence that the rest of the squad could rise to the occasion, saying “Of course, tactically, it’s a blow, but we have other players who can deliver. We wish her a quick recovery, but we have plan B in place” 

In a heartwarming gesture that lifted team spirits, captain Tabitha Chawinga donated football boots to her teammates ahead of the match, continuing her practice of providing boots and equipment to both national and local players.

Despite missing her sister, Tabitha led a strong Malawian lineup that included France-based Rose Kabzere, Kazakhstan-based striker Vanessa Chikupila, Sweden-based midfielder Faith Chinzimu, and several other experienced players from clubs across the continent.

The match started cautiously, but Malawi gradually grew into the game and created the better chances. Captain Chawinga came agonizingly close in the 34th minute when her effort sailed just wide of the post. The Scorchers’ best opportunity came in the 67th minute when Chawinga burst through Angola’s defense and delivered a precise cut-back to striker Asimenye Simwaka, but her shot flew wide. Late in the match, Tabitha Chawinga’s free-kick rattled the defensive wall as Malawi pressed for a winner.

Angola came into the fixture with just one win in their last eight games, while Malawi had won four of their last eight, including back-to-back victories against Lesotho in their most recent outings . Angola had edged Zimbabwe 2-1 in the first round before confirming their spot with shootout victory as the game in regulation time ended 3-3 draw, showing they were capable of grinding out results even without spectacular form.

Despite failing to find the breakthrough, Coach Fazili was pleased with his team’s performance and confident about completing the job at home.

“We played much better and I was expecting to score goals in the first half. In the second half we had plenty of chances but we didn’t utilize them,” Fazili said.

“I have to thank the players for the way they’ve played. They are promising me that when we go home, we are going to finish the game. The goalkeeper had an excellent performance, the defense and midfield were solid. Our strikers did a commendable job and the wingers played their part.

“Playing away, it is better to draw than to lose the match.”

The second leg next week represents a golden opportunity for Malawi to write a new chapter in their football history. The Scorchers have never qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and victory on Tuesday would see them join the continental elite in Morocco for the 2026 finals.