Scorchers Head Coach Lovemore Fazili has named a 32-member provisional squad for next week’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Qualifiers against Angola.
Malawi will play the first leg away on Thursday, October 23, before hosting the return fixture on Tuesday, October 28, at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Fazili’s selection features eight foreign-based players, including the Chawinga sisters — captain Tabitha and vice-captain Temwa,. The list also includes 2022 COSAFA U-17 Girls’ Championship top scorer Rose Kabzere, who plies her trade with Montpellier (France), and versatile attacker Vanessa Chikupila of Biik Kazygurt (Kazakhstan).
The winner of the two-legged tie will automatically qualify for the 2026 WAFCON, a milestone that would mark the Scorchers’ first-ever qualification to the prestigious continental showpiece.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Mercy Sikelo (kukoma Ntopwa women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s) Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Defenders
Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big bullets), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (kukoma Ntopwa women), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy) Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness) Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens) Justina Jombo (Silver Strikers Ladies) Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
Midfielders
Rose Kabzere (Montpellier), Vannessa Chikupira (FC BIIK-Kazygurt), Faith Chimzimu (BK Hacken), Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Funny Magombo (kukoma Ntopwa women), Sarah Mulimbika (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens) Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens) Sharon Dzimau (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Forwards
Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais Féminin) Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current) Sabina Thom (MDF Lioness) Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness) Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens) Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer Academy) Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies)
