All is not rosy within the women’s football fraternity as some senior Malawi Women’s National Football Team players have threatened not to honour call-up, claiming ill treatment from a technical panel member (name withheld).
This comes as the Scorchers are soon expected to start preparations ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville next month.
The first round matches are expected to be played between February 16 and 26 this year.
However, the preparations could suffer a major setback as some of the senior players confided in us that they are not happy.
“A lot happened at the 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa. I did not expect to be treated like that as a player. It was the first time for me to go through such treatment,’’ said one of the senior players.
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According to the players, the technical panel member used vulgar language during training sessions.
“There was tension in camp. The players nearly boycotted training sessions during the Cosafa Cup. But for the love of the country, we played the games,’’ said another senior player.
On his part, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) vice president Madalitso Kuyera expressed ignorance on the matter.
’’I am hearing it from you. Let me consult on the issue,’’ Kuyera said.
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The Scorchers surrendered the Cosafa Cup after a 2-0 loss to Zambia in the semi-finals.
It was a perfect revenge for Zambia— bitter one for Malawi— after they lost 2-1 to the Scorchers in the 2023 decider as the Scorchers won their first ever Cosafa Cup.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili refused to comment on the matter yesterday.
“I do not know anything about it,’’ he said.
National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Adelaide Migogo was also reluctant to comment. ’’I will not comment,’’ Migogo said.
During the Cosafa, the Scorchers shared the spoils after a 1-1 stalemate against Botswana before a narrow 1-0 victory over Madagascar in their second match.
But they registered their biggest win when they thrashed minnows Mauritius 9-0 to book their semifinals spot against Zambia.
The Scorchers will return to continental showpiece after three-year absence. The winner between Malawi and Congo will face either Zimbabwe or Angola in the second round.
