By Llywellenie Mpasa:
Malawi National Women’s Football Team, the Scorchers, captain Tabitha Chawinga will headline the team’s attacking machinery at the Fifa Series 4 Nations Tournament in Kenya.
The tournament is scheduled for April 11 to 15.
Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili said he had put together his strongest squad to compete in the Fifa Series tournament, in readiness for Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals.
The 35-member provisional squad, which was announced in Blantyre yesterday, combines experience with emerging talent.
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“The tournament would be used as a springboard in preparation for Wafcon in July, focusing on combinations rather than scouting for talent,” Fazili said.
Speaking at Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre City, Fazili said the squad included 10 foreign country-based players while retaining 25 of the players who featured in the Cosafa Women’s Championship earlier this year.
Key figures leading the charge include versatile forward Temwa Chawinga, who last represented Malawi in February 2025 against Zambia, alongside captain Tabitha Chawinga, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupira, Tendai Sani, Sara Mlimbika, Faith Chimzimu, Rose Kabzere and defender Chimwemwe Madise.
He said Temwa Chawinga’s inclusion comes with caution due to a leg injury she sustained while playing for her NWSL club, Kansas City, against Houston Dash on October 18, 2025.
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The injury culminated in her missing both the playoffs and the start of the 2026 season.
“Despite this, she remains a vital part of the squad’s forward options,” he said.
The squad also features exciting newcomers such as Ascent Soccer Academy forward Fatima Lali, who impressed during the Fifa U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Guinea Bissau.
Malawi is set to face Australia on April 11 while hosts Kenya will take on India, with Fazili emphasising the importance of the clash against 15th-ranked Australia as a key test against a European-style team.
“Qualifying for Wafcon shows that the team is improving. We are geared to take on Australia,” he said.
The Scorchers will begin their preparations at Mpira Village in Blantyre on April 1, aiming to fine-tune combinations and sharpen their readiness ahead of the tournament.
Among the goalkeepers, the team is anchored by Mercy Sikelo of Kukoma Ntopwa, Thoko Mwase of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women, Yamikani Kaonga of MDF Lioness and Esther Maulidi of Mighty Wanderers Queens.
In the backline, defenders Chimwemwe Madise, Rose Alufandika, Maureen Kenneth, Maggie Chavula, Doreen Dickson, Bernadetta Mkandawire, Taonga Phiri, Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani, Gladys Joseph and Shilla Mangani form a versatile and experienced defence.
The midfield combines creative and hardworking players such as Madyina Ngulube, Lyna James, Asimenye Simwaka, Jessie Yosefe, Letticia Chinyamula, Rose Kabzere, Faith Chimzimu, Vitumbiko Mkandawire, Chikondi Gondwe, Sarah Mlimbika, Tendai Sani, Vanessa Chikupila and Funny Magombo.
At the forefront of attack, the Scorchers rely on the proven finishing skills of Tabitha, supported by Mary Chavinda, Chisomo Banda, Temwa, Fatima Lali, Deborah Henry and Sabina Thom, offering a dynamic blend of pace, technical skill and goal-scoring ability.
