President Peter Mutharika has said the Scorchers’ impressive run at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco has brought a rare moment of unity in the country.
Speaking with presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi on arrival from his private trip in South Africa on Saturday, the President said he was proud of the Malawi Women’s National Football Team’s exploits.
Mutharika also urged Malawians to carry the spirit of togetherness beyond football.
He said: “The Scorchers have managed to achieve something that we politicians have never been able to do and that is: they have managed to unite this country.
“Football is a good example of selflessness and collectivity, that you work together and if you have a ball and you want to win you give the person who can make you win! No selfishness but team-spirit and that’s what we need in this country and I hope we can learn from that.”
In an interview on Saturday, Scorchers’ captain Tabitha Chawinga said they felt humbled by the President’s remarks.
“That means a lot to us and it is a big inspiration to the entire team. On behalf of my fellow players, I would like to thank the first couple for being there for us throughout the tournament,” she said.
The Scorchers faced Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in the final last night.
To reach the final, Malawi beat Algeria 3-1. In the quarter-finals, they edged Ghana 2-1.
In the group stage, the Scorchers topped Group C on goal aggregate after tying on six points with dethroned champions Nigeria and Zambia.
Malawi stunned the Super Falcons 3-2 in their opening match before seeing off Egypt’s Cleopatra 3-1. They lost their final group match 2-1 to Zambia’s Copper Queens.
