Malawi National Women’s Football Team head coach Lovemore Fazili says today’s international friendly against Morocco has come at the right time as the Scorchers continue their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Scorchers will face the Atlas Lionesses in a closed-door friendly match at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat from 20:00 local time, which is 21:00 Malawi time.
This will be the second meeting between the two sides after they faced off in June last year, when Morocco came from two goals down to beat Malawi 4-2.
Fazili said the match will help the technical panel assess the players and also give the team another feel of international football ahead of the continental showpiece.
“We are prepared. The main purpose is to give the players international match experience after some time and also to see how the local and international players combine. That is very important for us,” said Fazili.
The coach said the team has worked on finishing after failing to score in the two friendly matches against Tanzania last month.
“Of course, we did not score in those two matches, but the positive thing was that we managed to reach the goal area and create chances. The players also managed to shoot at goal, so we have tried to work on that and I am sure they will do better in today’s game,” he said.
On facing Morocco again, Fazili said the Scorchers have learnt lessons from last year’s defeat.
“Yes, we played Morocco before last year and the game was not bad. Though we lost, we put in every effort and could have won that game. But that was last year and this is another game. I am sure the players know why we conceded four goals when we were leading 2-0,” said Fazili.
Fazili also said morale is high in camp and praised the warm welcome the team has received in Rabat.
“For sure, morale is high. Everybody is good and ready for the game. The weather is similar to what we have back home,” he said.
Today’s match will be the Scorchers’ eighth international assignment this year, having played three games at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, two games at the FIFA Series against Australia and India, and two friendly matches against Tanzania’s Twiga Stars.
