The Scorchers stand-in captain Chimwemwe Madise says the they are in high spirits ahead of their Fifa Women’s Series first match tomorrow against Australia at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)-based defender yesterday said there is great unity in the team and fun exercises to ensure that foreign-based and local-based players are in sync ahead of the showdown.
The Scorchers left Malawi on Wednesday afternoon and were welcomed with traditional dances upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
“There are no dull moments in the team. We are enjoying ourselves as we prepare ourselves both physically and mentally for the first match this Saturday,” said Madise.
In the four-team series, the Malawi National Women’s Football Team, who are ranked 153rd on Fifa Women’s Rankings, are the lowest as they will face 15th ranked Australia tomorrow before taking on either 67th-ranked India or 134th-ranked Kenya on April 15.
But despite that, and the absence of the Chawinga sisters, France-based striker Tabitha and US-based forward Temwa, Madise believes the team is strong enough to compete.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili yesterday said he is confident his charges will do well in the series as they tune up for their debut Women’s African Cup of Nations (Wafcon) finals in Morocco this July.
“Every player in the squad knows why we are here in Kenya and we expect them to give their all as it is their performance that will determine whether they should make the Wafcon trip,” he said.
