The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, have advanced to the second round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) without kicking a ball after their opponents, Congo Brazzaville, pulled out of the competition.
This means the Scorchers will face either Zimbabwe or Angola in the second round of the qualifiers.
The overall winner will book a ticket to the Wafcon finals.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) announced in a statement Tuesday that Congo withdrew from the competition due to lack of preparations.
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The Scorchers were scheduled to face Congo at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe before the return leg away five days later.
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Meanwhile, Fam has said despite the withdrawal of the Scorchers’ opponents, the team would regroup ahead of a potential friendly match.
“Fam plans to proceed with the team’s camping programme as the association is working on arranging friendly matches to ensure the Fifa window is fully utilised.
“Further details regarding the team’s next steps will be communicated in due course,” the statement reads.
This also comes amid reports that the Scorchers could participate in the Four Nations Tournament involving hosts Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and Malawi this month.
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Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they were considering options, including participating in the Four Nations Tournament, if approached.
“We are looking at options. If we are approached, we may consider it but, currently, there is nothing on the table,” he said.
The Scorchers have never qualified for the Wafcon finals and last participated in the qualifiers but were eliminated in the first round following a 4-3 loss to Zambia on aggregate.
Malawi and Zambia drew 1-1 at BNS in the first leg but lost 3-2 in the return leg in Lusaka.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama said the Scorchers had a chance to reach the finals this year.
“The team needs good preparations. It will be good for the team to play one friendly match before the second-round match,” Chinyama said.
The Scorchers won the Cosafa Cup after beating Zambia 2-1 in 2023.
They, however, surrendered the trophy when they lost to Zambia 2-0 in the semi-final stage last year.
