Malawi National Women’s Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili says Sunday night’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) final against Cameroon was a difficult match.
The Scorchers, who were the lowest ranked team at the tournament, lost to the Indomitable Lionesses 3-0 in Rabat Morocco as the curtain came down to the continental showpiece.
He said: “We gave them too much respect in the first half and we gifted them goals.
“But I cannot blame my players. Perhaps it wasn’t just our day and suffice to say it was a very difficult match, much as it was of high tempo.
“In the second half, we were a much improved side, but Cameroon shut down our strikers.”
The Scorchers gaffer said overall, he was impressed with the performance of his charges.
“We made to the final, which wasn’t easy for a team making a debut and we have learnt a lot,’ said Fazili.
He also said qualifying for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup final was a big milestone.
Football Association of Malawi president Fleetwood Haiya also hailed the team’s exploits.
He said: “We may not have ended with the result we wanted after losing the final, but I went to the dressing room afterwards with one message to our girls: keep your heads high and be proud of what you have achieved. We thank God the Almighty for carrying us through this incredible journey.
“In our maiden Wafcon appearance, the Scorchers reached the final, finished as Africa’s second-best team and, most importantly, qualified for the Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time in our history. This is an extraordinary achievement that deserves to be celebrated.”
Haiya also thanked the government, sponsors, partners well-wishers, supporters “and every Malawian who stood behind the Scorchers—Zikomo kwambiri. Special appreciation goes to everyone who travelled to Morocco to support our girls”.
He said the achievement is further evidence that FAM’s deliberate investment in girls’ and women’s football is bearing fruit.
“We will continue investing in our young girls, strengthening the development pathway from grassroots to elite football and creating opportunities for the next generation,” he said.
