The Scorchers say they are not in a cold sweat ahead of tomorrow night’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Rabat, Morocco.
France-based Malawi National Football Team captain Tabitha Chawinga said in an interview yesterday that they are at peace and will go into the battle with cool heads.
“We are being driven by the might of the Almighty God and, as such, we have no reason to be under pressure. The morale in camp is high, the mood is good,” she said.
“The body language of the players says it all. They are determined to fight for the title and make history. We are all raring to go.”
She said the underdog tag takes the pressure off the team.
“I think if anything, the pressure should be on Cameroon because they are the favourites going by their record. From day one, we have been the underdogs and we are OK with that,” said the 30-year-old striker.
In video clips of their training session yesterday in the countdown to the final, the Scorchers appeared relaxed and unfazed.
There was no hint of nerves, no sign of fear as they went through their paces with a joke here and a laugh there from a side oozing confidence.
Sweden-based attacker Faith Chimzimu, was quoted by SPM Sports as saying: “The girls are all determined. The good thing is that the more games we play, th more hungry we become. We have been treating each game as a final and this one.
“We are encouraging each other and we are pushing each other. We are through to the World Cup and we have one more mission—to win the title, that’s our goal.”
She also said despite their remarkable run that has seen them sweep aside holders and 10-time champions Nigeria 3-2, Egypt 3-1, Ghana 2-1 and Algeria 3-1, they will not underrate Cameroon.
‘Instead, we will raise the tempo, we will engage an extra gear because this will be another tough match,” said Tabitha.
The Scorchers have only lost once: 2-1 to regional rivals, Zambia, at the African Women’s Football Safari.
On the other hand, the Indomitable Lionesses beat Mali 2-1, Ghana 1-0 and drew 1-1 against Cape Verde in the group stage.
They went on to boot out holders Nigeria 1-0 in the quarter-finals and hosts Morocco 3-1 on post-match penalties after playing out a goalless draw in regulation and extra time.
Cameroon, who are ranked 71st on Fifa Women’s World Rankings, 82 places above the Scorchers, have qualified for all the past 13 Wafcon tournaments and they will be making their fourth final appearance.
They have also been to the Women’s World Cup twice in 2015 and 2019.
On the other hand, the Scorchers are making their first appearance at the continental showpiece where they have defied the odds to qualify for the final to cheer the spirits of the football world that delights in the spoils of an underdog.
