The Scorchers will step up their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with two international friendly matches against hosts Morocco and Ghana in Rabat.
The Malawi Women’s National Football Team face Morocco today before taking on Ghana in Mohammedia on July 23 as they continue acclimatising to conditions in the North African nation ahead of the tournament.
Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili said the friendlies have come at the right time and said his side is set for their maiden Wafcon appearance.
“The team is geared for the tournament and being our first appearance, the target for now is to get out of the group and then take it step by step to see how far we can go,” he said.
The Scorchers, who left the country on Monday, arrived in Rabat on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Scorchers’ squad has been boosted with the recall of Chisomo Banda, Lyna James and Tendai Sani, increasing the travelling party from 23 to the full complement of 26 players.
The trio’s inclusion follows the Football Association of Malawi’s successful fundraising campaign, which raised more than the targeted K1 billion during last Friday’s send-off dinner.
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya said the overwhelming public and corporate support has enabled the association to send the additional players.
“This is why today we are very happy. We are very motivated to even motivate our girls, starting with the squad. We did cut the squad to 23 because we didn’t have enough resources. But with this support that we’ve received, we are back to the full squad of 26 players.”
The three players are expected to leave Malawi tomorrow while vice-captain Temwa Chawinga is scheduled to join the squad on July 20.
Malawi are in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt.
The Scorchers will begin their Wafcon campaign against Nigeria on July 28 before facing Egypt on August 1. They will wrap up the group stage against Zambia on August 5.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
