The Scorchers say they are not in a cold sweat over facing Ghana in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow in Morocco’s capital, Rabat.
The Black Queens of Ghana date the Malawi Women’s National Football Team after finishing top in Group D on Thursday night after playing out a one-all draw against fellow West Africans, Mali.
A win for the Scorchers will see them punch their ticket to the promised land, the 2027 World Cup as they explore their fantasies.
Tomorrow’s showdown comes a fortnight after the Black Queens thumped the Scorchers 4-0 in their final warm-up game ahead of the continental showpiece.
But in an interview yesterday, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said they are not losing sleep over facing the Ghanaians, stressing that “this will be a totally different fixture”.
Sounding ice-cool and relaxed, the Scorchers gaffer said: “We won’t dwell in the past. That they beat us the last time we met is no guarantee that they will win again on Sunday, football doesn’t wotk that way.
“That was a different game, it was a friendly. This is a competitive match and there is so much at stake.”
“Over and above that, we rang some changes in the previous match to give other players a chance.”
He said the good thing is that they have played Ghana a couple of times and they know what to expect.
“We will prepare for them accordingly,” he said.
Among others, in the recent friendly, Fazili featured non-regulars: goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga, Oliviz Phikani, Chisomo Banda and Tendai Sani.
Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga said at this stage of the tournament, there is no easy team.
“When you reach this stage, there is nothing like preference because all the teams are tough. So, we just have to continue working very hard and pray to God Almighty for His blessings and favours,” she said.
Football analyst George Chiusiwa said the Scorchers have already demonstrated that they have no fear factor.
He said: “Looking at their technically and tactically disciplined and determined display of football, there is no stage fright even when they are battling against giants like Nigeria and Zambia.
“The quarter-final clash against Ghana will be another football context and the stakes are different too. This will be a different battle altogether and Malawi’s 4-0 loss in the friendly will not count.
“The West Africans are a good side, granted. But they should also brace for a tough battle facing the Scorchers who have nothing to lose having already surpassed the expectations of many people by reaching the quarter-finals at their maiden Wafcon. In fact, Ghana will be under pressure as they are usual campaigners with one of the most consistent performances at the tournament, having finished runners-up three times and third place place four times although they are yet to win the trophy.”
He said the change in context at the tournament with the Scorchers no longer deemed minnows means Ghana realise that they are not meeting the same team they beat a fortnight ago.
“The Malawi coaches just need to fully prepare the girls psychologically beyond the usual tactical approaches. The girls need to forget the loss in the friendly and focus on Sunday’s quarterfinal as a new and different ball-game altogether,” said Chiusiwa.
The Scorchers, who are making their debut at Africa women’s football safari, made it to the last eight after topping Group C with six points.
They were tied on points with second-placed Nigeria, who are the defending champions and Zambia, who finished third. The three teams were separated by goals scored after eliminating bottom-placed Egypt from the equation.
In the group stage, the Scorchers defied the odds to stun 10-time champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons 3-2 before adding Egypt’s Cleopatra to their list of their casualties. They lost their last game 2-1 to Zambia’s Copper Queens.
Meanwhile, the quarterfinals begin today with Ivory Coast taking on Algeria in Casablanca, before Morocco and South Africa collide in Rabat.
Apart from the Malawi versus Ghana fixture tomorrow, Cameroon, who had already secured top spot in Group D before the final matchday, will face Nigeria.
