US-based striker Temwa Chawinga is doubtful for the upcoming Fifa Series slated for April 11 in Kenya.
The Malawian has not fully recovered from the groin injury she suffered in October last year while playing for her club. Temwa has already missed two opening matches for her US club Kansas City Current in the 2026 National Women Soccer League (NWSL).
She was not readily available for her comment yesterday. The Scorchers will face Australia in the Fifa Series opener on April 11. The winner between Malawi and Australia will meet either Kenya or India in the final whereas the losers will also face each other for the third place play off four days later.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili is yet to name his squad for the tournament. France-based captain Tabitha Chawinga is expected to be included in the squad alongside TP Mazembe defender Chimwemwe Madise, Sweden based midfielder Faith Chimzimu and Rose Kabzere.
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Fazili is also likely to include some local based players such as Madyina Ngulube, Leticia Chinyamula, Rose Alufandika, Ireen Khumalo and Chikondi Gondwe.
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The Scorchers will use the tournament as part of preparations for upcoming TotalEnergies Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals to be staged from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco.
Fazili said the games are crucial in helping to prepare for the tournament. “Playing teams outside Africa is a huge motivation to us and that has never happened before to the Scorchers, even the players are eagerly to get something out of the games,” Fazili said.
Malawi are in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, neighbours Zambia and Egypt. The Scorchers will open the campaign against Nigeria before facing Egypt three days later. They will wrap up the group stage with a match against Zambia.
Top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The Wafcon finals will be used as qualifiers for 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup. Quarterfinalists will also qualify for Women’s World Cup play offs.
