Malawians have found several reasons to celebrate following the Scorchers’ remarkable exploits at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.
From qualifying for their first Wafcon to stunning 10 time champions Nigeria, reaching the semi-finals and securing a historic place at their first ever Women’s World Cup, the Scorchers have continued to surpass expectations.
Their latest achievement, reaching their first Wafcon final, has taken the celebrations to another level.
But among those celebrating are people who have been there long before the fame and success, parents who believed in the players when their dreams were still taking shape.
For Henry Chinzimu, father of Scorchers’ eagle-eyed midfielder Faith Chinzimu, her daughter’s journey is nothing short of God’s grace.
“I take it as God’s favour to see our daughter performing like that with her teammates in Morocco,” he said.
Faith’s journey, he said, started long before she joined Ascent Academy, when she would play football behind their house using a locally made ball.
“She has not had an easy road. She started playing football at the back of our house when she was a small girl with a locally made ball. I then bought her a ball to be playing at home,” he said.
Like most parents of female footballers in Malawi, Chinzimu initially wanted his daughter to abandon the sport and concentrate on her education.
“I used to sit her down and tell her to quit football, but after careful reflection, I realised that she might have taken after me because I also used to play football,” he said.
Chinzimu has since encouraged parents to support their children in pursuing their dreams, saying the success of the Scorchers shows what is possible when young girls are given an opportunity.
Meanwhile, Takondwa Mtelera a resident of Bangwe Township in Blantyre and mother of a 13 -year-old aspiring female footballer Tyris Mtelera, said the team’s performance has inspired her to encourage her daughter to work even harder in the sport.
“I have never imagined Malawian female footballers could reach this far. This is encouraging to our girls,” she said.
The Scorchers will face Cameroon in the Wafcon final this evening as they continue their historic campaign in Morocco.
