Malawi national women’s team coach Lovemore Fazili has named a 38 member provisional squad to start camp on Sunday in preparation for the Cosafa Women’s Championship scheduled to take place in Gqeberha, South Africa, between October 22 and November 2.
Fazili has include named a strong squad with the inclusion of 10 foreign based players who will be available for selection as part of the tournament falls under the FIFA Window as Malawi aim at defending the title they won last year.
France based captain Tabitha Chawinga leads the contingent of foreign based that includes her sister Temwa who plays in USA, defenders Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe-DRC), Ireen Khumalo (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Midfielder Rose Kabzere (Montpellier-France), strikers Mary Chavinda ( Rayon-Rwanda), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Zisd-Zambia), Sabina Thom (TP Mazembe- DRC) Choma Okafo (University of Connecticut-USA).
This year’s competition has attracted 12 teams which are divided in four groups, two containing four teams and two with three nations.
Malawi are in group in group B alongside Botswana, Madagascar and Mauritius.
The four group winners will qualify for the semi-finals.
The following is the list of the Scorchers provisional squad:
Goalkeepers : Mercy Sikelo (Ntopwa), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Mukuru), Yamikani Kamanga (MDF), Hendrina Phiri (Fact), Mwayi Mhango (Moyale)
Defenders: Patricia Nyirenda (MDF), Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe DRC), Ireen Khumalo (Green Buffaloes- Zambia), Benadetta Mkandawire (NBB), Faith Chizimu (Ascent), Maggie Chavula (Ascent), Rose Alufandika (Ntopwa), Joyce Oposi (MDF), Gladys Joseph (CIVO), Grace Yotamu (NBB).
Midfielders: Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent), Carlolyne Mayhyola (SSFC), Sara Mulimbika (Ndirande), Funny Magombo (Ntopwa), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF), Lyna James (NBB), Jessie Yosefe (CIVO), Tendai Saini (NBB), Ruth Tambala (MDF), Pililani Malora (NBB), Wezziw Chavula (SSFC), Linda Manda (SSFC), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier-France).
Strikers: Kandau Banda (Ntopwa), Annie Mughogho (Hungry Lion/Ascent), Vannesa Chipikula (Green Buffaloes- Zambia), Mary Chavinda (Rayon-Rwanda), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Zambia Zisd-Zambia), Sabina Thom (TP Mazembe- DRC), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City- USA), Chisomo Banda (SSFC), Catherine Kachala (MDF), Choma Okafo (University of Connecticut-USA) and Tabitha Chawinga (Lyon- France)
