Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili has called for thorough 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) preparations following the Scorchers’ qualification on Tuesday.
The Scorchers secured their ticket to the continental tournament to be hosted by Morocco in March next year after a 2-0 victory over Angola at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe following a goalless draw in Luanda in the first leg.
In an interview, Fazili attributed the team’s qualification to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) massive investment towards preparations which saw the Scorchers play eight international friendly matches.
Scorchers took on second-ranked South Africa and fifth-ranked Zambia twice apiece between February and April this year before playing Morocco and Ghana in June.
After the match, Fazili said: “I think first of all, I have to thank FAM for giving us eight international friendly matches against big teams.
“Those friendly matches assisted us to gel the team to reach this far.
“The Scorchers’ official sponsors National Bank of Malawi [plc] have also been great. They are also sponsoring the league which has improved players’ fitness.”
Fazili said they also expect the same preparations for the finals to be held in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
“In preparation for the Wafcon finals, we are going to ask the FA for the same. We are going to ask FAM to help us prepare for the finals by playing such friendly matches,” he said.
On her part, Scorchers captain Tabitha Chawinga said they had proved that they are worth the investment.
“FAM has seen what we are capable of doing. I am sure they will ensure that we prepare thoroughly for the finals,” she said.
FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the association is committed to supporting Scorchers as shown in the preparations for the qualifiers.
He said the Scorchers’ technical panel and the association’s technical subcommittee will draw a programme for the finals preparations.
In February, the Scorchers lost 2-0 to Zambia’s Copper Queens in their first friendly before registering a 3-2 victory in the second match.
Against hosts South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in April, they lost 3-0 and 2-1.
Scorchers then lost 4-2 to hosts Morocco and 3-1 to Ghana in Casablanca in June.
They then hosted Lesotho and defeated them twice in August.
Malawi qualified for the second round after their opponents Congo Brazzaville withdrew from the competition.
Meanwhile, Cosafa has congratulated Malawi and other bloc members South Africa and Zambia for their qualification.
While Malawi willi be debutants at the final, South Africa will make a 14th appearance at the finals and were continental champions in 2022 while Zambia will be appearing for the fifth time.
CAF is also expected to expand the finals field for the 2026 tournament to 16 teams, with 12 having already booked their place.
How the other four will be determined is not yet known, but that could open the door for other Cosafa teams.
The four semi-finalists at the finals will qualify for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
