Malawi has been handed tricky draws in the 2026 Under-20 and senior women’s football Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Scorchers have been drawn against Congo Brazzaville ranked 112 while the Under-20 face Central Africa Republic whose senior team is on 144 on the Fifa rankings.
This follows a draw held yesterday in Cairo, Egypt where another Under-17 draw was held.
In an interview yesterday after the draw, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competition and communication director Gomezgani Zakazaka said Malawi can sail through to the next round.
He said: “It’s good that we are back in these competitions. The Scorchers last played in the 2022 qualifiers and they missed the last edition. They are now back in the fold. Being drawn against Congo, we expect it to be a good match for us.
“Looking at how our players are performing at club level individually, I believe that we should be able to build a strong team to go past the first round.”
Commenting on the Under-20, Zakazaka said they are ready to stand the heat.
“Having played for the qualifying stages for the past two editions in 2019 and 2022, we are experienced enough to build a strong team. We had the Under-17 that participated in two Cosafa tournaments this year as well as in 2022. We have built a number of youngsters that can go all the way,” he said.
The winner between Malawi and Congo Brazzaville during the two-legged first round between February 16 and 26 2025, will face Angola or Zimbabwe in the two-legged second round scheduled for October 20 and 28.
Malawi’s return follows United States-based Temwa Chawinga’s boycotting Cosafa Women’s Championship in protest of inadequate support to women’s football.
She said this as she arrived in the country for a holiday. She is expected to undertake charity activities while in the country.
