Malawi National Women’s Football Team striker Temwa Chawinga has been cleared by her Chinese club Wuhan Jiangda to take part in the 2023 Hollywood Bets Cosafa Cup scheduled for October 4 to 15 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
However, her elder sister Tabitha Chawinga is doubtful for the regional showpiece following her loan move to PSG from Wuhan.
Temwa, who is in the country for holiday, confirmed her availability Tuesday.
“The club has accepted to release me for the tournament. I am always happy to play for my country,” Temwa, who last played for the Scorchers in 2020 during the Cosafa Cup, said.
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This could be a big boost for Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili ahead of the tournament.
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The Chawinga sisters missed last year’s championship but their presence in the squad is greatly needed as the Scorchers chase their first ever Cosafa title.
Apart from Temwa and Tabitha, Fazili has included Zambia-based defender Chimwemwe Madise, who plays for Elite Ladies.
However, Fazili was not readily available for his comment Tuesday.
National Women’s Football Association Chairperson Adellaide Migogo said they are keeping fingers crossed over the availability of the Chawinga sisters.
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“It is a relief that Temwa has announced her availability. Currently, we are waiting for official communication from their club which we approached,” she said.
The development comes after Football Association of Malawi confirmed that the Scorchers will face Seychelles in international friendlies on Monday September 25 and Thursday, 28, September at Mpira Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Scorchers started pre-camp selection process on Monday, when 28 players took part in the exercise.
Out of the 28 players, 19 players will be selected to join the other 11 players who were part of the 2022 Cosafa Women’s Championship to make a list of 30 players.
The 30 players will start training at Mpira Village today.
Meanwhile, the Scorchers will face hosts South Africa’s BanyanaBanyana in the opening match of the Cosafa Cup on October 4.
This is according to the fixture which Council for Southern Africa Football Association (Cosafa) released on Monday.
However, Cosafa is yet to release venues for all the matches.
In another Group A match on the opening day, Madagascar will meet eSwatini. The Scorchers will meet eSwatini in their second game three days later before wrapping up the group stage matches against Madagascar on October 10.
Group winners will automatically qualify for the semi-finals and will be joined by the overall runners-up.
