Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says it is confident that all overseas players will be available for the Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nation (Wafcon) tournament set to kick off on March 17.
Straight from the Cosafa Women’s Championship in South Africa, the Scorchers have camped in Mponela, Dowa and will be training at Champion Stadium.
In an interview yesterday, FAM operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka could not indicate when overseas players will join the team.
The players include US-based Kansas City Current forward Temwa Chawinga, her sister Tabitha of France’ OL Lyonnes, Rose Kabzere of Montpellier in France and Sweden-based BK Hacken FF attacker Faith Chinzimu.
Zakazaka said they were waiting to hear from the clubs on when they will release the players.
But he said there was no need to panic.
Said Zakazaka: “This is Wafcon. It’s not just an ordinary tournament. We know the leagues in Europe are in full swing. Teams are playing in their local leagues as well as Uefa Champions League.
“In the US, the National Women’s Soccer League will also be in full swing. But we expect the clubs to release the players as stipulated by Fifa rules and regulations.”
Fifa regulations stipulate that clubs must release players for national team duty at tournaments at least 14 days before the team’s first match.
Said Zakazaka: “During last months’ Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Confederation of Africa Football [CAF] slashed the period to five days.
“We are still waiting for communication from CAF on the actual arrival times of teams at the tournament which will determine when players can join camp.”
While Tabitha, Kabzere and Chinzimu were part of the Wafcon campaign, Temwa, who has just recovered from an injury sustained four months ago, last played for the Scorchers in 2023.
This time, her club has included her in a squad set to play Utah Royals on March 14, just three days before the tournament kicks off.
Zakazaka said they are aware of the situation.
“We are also managing their club commitments,” he said.
Temwa was not available for comment yesterday.
But in an interview Tabitha said they will both be available for Wafcon.
She said: “Of course, there are some discussions underway with my team, but let me assure you that I will be available for Wafcon finals.
“My sister Temwa will also be there. Although she is still undergoing the recovery processes after her injury. She will be fully fit by the time Wafcon will be kicking off.”
Austria-based former Scorchers defender Chisomo Kazisonga-Sauseng yesterday called for all over-seas Malawi players to be available for the Wafcon finals.
She said the Wafcon finals provide over-seas players an opportunity to enhance their profiles for prestigious international awards such as the CAF African Women’s Player of the Year.
Said Kazisonga-Sauseng: “I noted with concern the tendency of some foreign-based players, who sometimes excuse themselves from national duty without valid reason. Their absence does more harm than good to their career.
“This time around, it is not only about carrying the national flag. It is about the overseas players striving to add something tangible to their profiles. For some time now, our best players have been denied opportunity of winning prestigious awards such as the Africa Women’s Player of the Year and Ballon D’or due to lack of national team success.”
The Scorchers are in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Egypt and neighbours Zambia.
Head coach Lovemore Fazili said he is confident they will be ready for Wafcon despite failing to reach Cosafa Championship knockout stage.
“We learnt a big lesson in South Africa,” he said.
