The Scorchers foreign-based players have started arriving for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) preparations.
France-based duo of captain Tabitha Chawinga, who plays for Lyon and Montpellier’s Rose Kabzere as well as Morocco-based Phoenix attacker Sabina Thom, linked up with the squad during the week at Mpira House in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre during the week.
The Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili named a 32-player provisional squad for the tournament in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, blending experienced internationals and domestic talent as he prepares to trim the final squad.
training at Mpira Stadium. | Courtesy of FAM
The selection includes four goalkeepers, nine defenders, 12 midfielders and seven forwards.
Other foreign-based players in the squad are Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Faith Chinzimu (BK Häcken) and Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes).
Locally, Silver Strikers Ladies and Ascent Soccer Academy have five players each while Kukoma Ntopwa Queens, MDF Lioness and FCB Nyasa Bullets Women have each contributed four players.
The team has since been given a short break for the weekend and Monday’s Independence Day celebrations, before resuming training on Tuesday, according to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka.
FAM has also strengthened the technical bench with the appointment of Sudesh Singh as technical advisor and Tyrese Steyn as performance analyst.
Singh, who brings over 30 years of experience, said he is encouraged by the talent in camp.
“I think you have a very talented group of ladies, and I believe the Scorchers can be a dark horse in this tournament,” he said.
He added that early discussions with the coaching staff have been positive.
“People are very open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas that can strengthen the team,” said Singh.
Fazili welcomed the reinforcements, saying: “This is a very good development. We are happy and we welcome them.”
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya says the appointments follow technical recommendations aimed at improving performance.
“We believe in Lovemore Fazili. We are very thankful that we have Sudesh, who has vast experience,” he said.”
