Malawi senior women’s national team striker Sabina Thom has explained her absence from the COSAFA Women’s Championship squad.

The former TP Mazembe star’s name was absent from the 24-member squad which the Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili released on Monday. The regional tournament will kick off in South Africa on Wednesday.

The championship gets underway around the same time that Thom has sealed a two-year contract with Moroccan club Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech.

Thom talks about timing of COSAFA

In an exclusive interview with Pan-Africa Football from Morocco, the forward revealed that her new employers did not feel obliged to release her for the COSAFA Women’s Championship because the tournament falls outside FIFA calendar for international matches.

“My team refused to release me because the COSAFA Women’s Championship is not on the FIFA’s calendar,” Thom said.

Away from the pitch, the Malawian shared updates on how she is coping with culture and language in the North African country.

How is Thom coping with language in Morocco?

The Scorchers player said her basic knowledge of French gained from the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she played for TP Mazembe Women was proving handy in Marrakech.

“They mostly speak Arabic and French, and I am able to comprehend French because I spent two years at TP Mazembe,” Thom added.

The 30-year-old announced her departure from TP Mazembe Women in 2024 after agreeing a two-year deal with Georgian top-flight side WFC Lanchkhuti.

career of Thom after TP Mazembe Women’s Team exit

The move, which would have marked another milestone in her European ambitions, ultimately collapsed due to visa complications, leading to the cancellation of her contract before she could feature competitively.

Despite that setback, Thom showed remarkable resilience, regrouping and continuing her career at MDF Lionesses in Malawi.

The attacker will represent Malawi at the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.

Sabina Thom Explains Absence from COSAFA Women’s Championship Squad

Malawi senior women’s national team striker Sabina Thom has opened up about her absence from the squad set to compete at the 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship in South Africa.

The experienced forward’s name was notably missing from the 24-member squad announced by Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili earlier this week. The regional competition kicks off on Wednesday, prompting questions from fans about why one of Malawi’s most established attackers would not be part of the team.

Now speaking exclusively from Morocco, Thom has clarified the circumstances behind her omission.

Sabina Thom’s Club Commitment in Morocco

The timing of the COSAFA Women’s Championship coincides with a major milestone in Thom’s club career.

The 30-year-old recently sealed a two-year contract with Moroccan club Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech, marking another important chapter in her journey abroad.

However, the tournament does not fall within the official FIFA international calendar. As a result, her new club was under no obligation to release her for national team duty.

Thom on Missing COSAFA

In an interview, the striker explained:

“My team refused to release me because the COSAFA Women’s Championship is not on the FIFA calendar.”

This means Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech exercised their right to retain the player for domestic commitments.

While her absence may disappoint Malawian supporters, the situation reflects a common challenge faced by African national teams when regional tournaments fall outside designated FIFA windows.

Adjusting to Life in Morocco

Away from the pitch, Sabina Thom is settling into life in North Africa.

Moving to Morocco has presented cultural and linguistic adjustments, but the striker says her previous experience in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has helped ease the transition.

Language Advantage from TP Mazembe

Thom previously spent two seasons at TP Mazembe Women in DR Congo, where French is widely spoken. That experience is now proving valuable.

“They mostly speak Arabic and French, and I am able to comprehend French because I spent two years at TP Mazembe,” she revealed.

Her familiarity with French has helped her integrate more smoothly into her new club environment in Marrakech.

Career Journey After TP Mazembe Exit

Sabina Thom’s career has been marked by resilience and determination.

After announcing her departure from TP Mazembe Women in 2024, she agreed to a two-year deal with Georgian top-flight side WFC Lanchkhuti. The move was expected to open doors to European football and elevate her profile further.

However, visa complications prevented the transfer from materialising. The contract was eventually cancelled before she could make a competitive appearance.

Despite the setback, Thom did not allow the disappointment to derail her ambitions.

She returned home and continued her career with MDF Lionesses in Malawi, maintaining her sharpness and professionalism while awaiting another opportunity abroad. That opportunity has now come in Morocco.

Focus on Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Although she will miss the COSAFA Women’s Championship, Thom remains a key figure for Malawi ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The continental tournament will be staged in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, and Thom is expected to represent the Scorchers on that stage.

Her experience, international exposure, and goal-scoring ability will be vital as Malawi aim to compete strongly at the finals.

Why Thom’s Absence Matters

Sabina Thom is one of Malawi’s most experienced attackers. Her pace, technical ability, and leadership have been central to the Scorchers’ recent progress in regional and continental competitions.

However, her absence at COSAFA also highlights:

• The growing professionalism of women’s football

• The increasing influence of club commitments

• Scheduling conflicts between regional tournaments and FIFA windows

As more African players secure contracts abroad, such scenarios may become more common.

Looking Ahead

While Sabina Thom will not feature at COSAFA, her focus remains on excelling in Morocco and preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

For Malawi, the bigger picture remains intact. The striker is fit, settled, and motivated — and that could be more important for the long-term national team objectives than a single regional tournament.

Her journey continues to reflect resilience, adaptability, and ambition — qualities that have defined her career so far.