FIFA Series: Malawi finish bottom after loss to India

The Malawi women’s national team’s defensive frailties and profligacy proved costly once again as they lost 2-3 to India in Kenya on Wednesday to finish bottom of the FIFA Series 2026.

The Scorchers went into the third-place playoff amid mounting doubts on their preparedness for 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals scheduled for Morocco from July.

The doubt emerged from a humiliating 0-5 loss to Australia in the FIFA Series’ semifinal at the same Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

How Fazili lined up his charges for FIFA Series finale

Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili, who was without star strikers Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, reacted to Saturday’s loss by reshuffling the starting XI.

Second-choice goalkeeper Esther Maulidi replaced Mercy Sikelo, Nguluwe Madyina got the nod ahead of Leticia Chinyamula. Vitumbiko Mkandawire was preferred instead of Sarah Mlimbika.  In the other end, India coach Crispin Chettri maintained the bulk of the players from that lost 2-0 to Kenya in another semifinal on Saturday.

Despite the changes, it did not take long for the 2026 WAFCON-bound team to concede in the 18^th minute. India opened the scoring through defender Astam Oraon.

More changes same goalkeeping woes

Maulidi flapped at a ball from a corner kick from the right in the box. The ball bounced off Aveka Singh and Oraon reacted to poke it into the net.

The response from Fazili was instant: he dragged out ineffective number 9 Vanessa Chipikula and threw Deborah Henry into a deep end for only her second appearance.

The impact was instant. The Scorchers won a freekick opportunity on the edge of the box. Defender Ireen Khumalo stepped forward and dispatched a ball into the near-post pocket of the net in the 42^nd minute.

How India punished Malawi

Three minutes later, the Malawians went to sleep. India staged a counterattack which ended with striker Singh sliding the ball into the net two minutes later. Maulidi was once again caught off position.

Seven minutes after restart, Henry cemented her potential as the Scorchers’ scorer-in-chief with a goal from a volley in in the 60^th minute.

Mlimbika, who had replaced Thom, flicked a ball from a corner-kick for the Silver Strikers Ladies’ forward to finish off the rebound.

Some 24 minutes later, Singh restored India’s lead with a low finish after profiting from sloppy defending for her second goal of the match. The victory snapped India’s six-game winless run across all competitions.

Malawi starting XI

Esther Maulidi, Bernadetta Mkandawire, Irene Khumalo, Chimwemwe Madise, Madyina Nguluwe, Vitumbiko Mkandawire, Vanessa Chipikula, Rose Alufandika, Vanessa Chipikula, Rose Kabzere, Sabina Thom.

Your Scorchers team news has dropped! 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/bmSme6fCOa

— FA Malawi (@FaMalawi) April 15, 2026