Four Europe-based stars in Malawi squad for tourney

Malawi women’s coach Lovemore Fazili has named four Europe-based players in the 25-member squad for the forthcoming three-nation tournament in Lilongwe.

Skipper Tabitha Chawinga of OL Lyonnes in France is leading the foreign-based legion which includes Rose Kabzere (Montpellier, France),Vannessa Chikupira (FC BIIK-Kazygurt, Kazakhstan) and Sweden-based Faith Chimzimu (BK Hacken).

The rest of the players are drawn from clubs in Malawi and Africa with 24 retained from the squad that played against Angola in a qualification match for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

Chinzimu scored twice for the Scorchers to see off Angola and qualify for the WAFCON finals for the first time.

Who is absent from Malawi’s squad?

The only absentee is MDF Lionesses goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga who has been replaced by her FCB Nyasa Big Bullets counterpart Thoko Mwase.

The Scorchers of Malawi will face neighbours Zambia and Zimbabwe from November 28 to 2 December 2025 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Fazili’s girls will open the floor with a meeting against Zimbabwe on Friday before taking on Zambia on Sunday.

The Copper Queens and Zimbabwe will meet in the final on Tuesday, 2 December when ultimately a team with the highest tally of points will be crowned champions.

The Scorchers and the Copper Queens are warming up for the 2026 WAFCON scheduled for Morocco in March.

Earlier, Zimbabwe coach Sithethelelwe Sibanda released a provisional squad for the trip to Lilongwe with only home-based players considered.

Earlier reports had suggested that South Africa were also earmarked for participation but there was no confirmation while Kenya chickened out.

The full squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers; Mercy Sikelo (kukoma Ntopwa women), Thoko Mwase (FCB nyasa Bullets), Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies).

Defenders; Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Bernadettar 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), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens).

Midfielders; Kabzere (Montpellier),Chikupira (FC BIIK-Kazygurt), Chimzimu (BK Hacken), Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Funny Magombo (kukoma Ntopwa women), Sarah Mulimbika (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens) Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens).

Forwards; Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnes Féminin), Sabina Thom (TP Mazembe), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens).