Debutants Malawi will kick off their maiden WAFCON campaign against the defending champions, and coach Lovemore Fazili has settled on the group he trusts to spring a shock in Rabat.
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Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili has named a 32-member provisional squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the Scorchers set to open their historic first WAFCON appearance against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
The squad is captained by Tabitha Chawinga, with sister Temwa Chawinga returning as vice-captain after missing the team’s most recent matches. Fazili has also handed places to two U-20 players, Takondwa Chinyamvula and Fatima Lali, giving the squad a blend of experience and fresh legs.
Camp opens at Mpira Village in Blantyre this weekend, with foreign-based players expected to report at the start of preparations. Three exceptions, Faith Chinzimu, Asimenye Simwaka and Temwa Chawinga, will join the group later due to club commitments abroad.
Malawi were drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt for what will be their first appearance at the tournament finals. They face the defending champions in their opener at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, 28 July, a daunting introduction to continental football’s biggest stage.
Malawi Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Mercy Sikelo (Civil Service Women)
- Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness)
- Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
- Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Defenders:
- Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness)
- Tionge Phiri (Silver Strikers Ladies)
- Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
- Talandira Chinyamvula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
- Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
- Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
- Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies)
- Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
- Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe)
Midfielders:
- Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
- Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
- Rose Smith Kabzere (Montpellier HSC Feminines)
- Faith Chimzimu (BK Hacken)
- Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers Ladies)
- Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies)
- Tendai Sani (ZISD)
- Vanessa Chipikula (Palm Hills Sports Club)
- Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
- Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes Women)
- Vitumbiko Mercy Mkandawire (Civil Service Women)
- Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness)
Forwards:
- Sabina Thom (Phoenix Academy Marrakesh)
- Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies)
- Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens FC)
- Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)
- Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais)
- Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
- Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer Academy)
With the Chawinga sisters leading the line and a mix of Europe-based professionals joining local talent, Malawi head into their debut campaign hoping to make an early statement against Africa’s most decorated women’s national team.
📌 Did You Know?
- Tabitha Chawinga plays her club football at Olympique Lyonnais, one of Europe’s most successful women’s clubs.
- Temwa Chawinga plies her trade in the United States with Kansas City Current in the NWSL.
- Malawi are making their first ever appearance at a WAFCON finals tournament.
- Group C also features Zambia, giving the pool a strong Southern African flavour alongside Nigeria and Egypt.
- The opening fixture between Malawi and Nigeria will be staged at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
- Malawi’s squad includes two U-20 call ups, signalling a focus on blooding younger talent early.
- The Scorchers’ camp in Blantyre marks the formal start of their build up to the July 28 opener.
