FIFA Series: Chawinga sisters ruled out for Malawi

Malawi women’s national team has been dealt a big blow ahead of the Four Nations FIFA Series Tournament kick off in Kenya on Saturday.

Captain Tabitha Chawinga and her younger sister Temwa have been ruled out of the semifinal against Australia at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm Southern African Time.

Malawi 🇲🇼 ranked 153 have never qualified for either the FIFA Women’s World Cup nor Olympics Games but have qualified for their first ever Women’s AFCON this year

They play Australia in their opener of the FIFA Women’s Series this Saturday at Nyayo#FootballKE#FIFASeries… pic.twitter.com/eFcrXod3mw

— The Sports Archbishop 🇰🇪 (@Jason_Sagini) April 10, 2026

Temwa has just returned to action for National Women’s Soccer League side Kansas City Current after a lengthy injury layoff.

Why Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga are absent

Therefore, it is believed that the American outfit is reluctant to release their MVP to the tournament.

Club commitments at Olympique Lyonnes in France are also believed to be behind the absence of Tabitha.

The Football Association of Malawi media quoted Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili as confirming the influential duo’s absence.

Malawi coach hopes to cope with duo’s absence

“It’s a big blow that they are not with us, but we have other players,” said the coach. “We always have other plans to approach the game without them. This is a chance for other players to showcase their talents, and I am sure they will deliver.

The Scorchers have in camp Europe-based forwards Rose Kabzere (Montpellier, France) and Faith Chimzimu (BK Haken FC, Sweden). However, the youngsters have not reached a stage where they can carry the Scorchers single-handedly on their shoulders as the Chawingas do.

The Scorchers and Australia are meeting for the first time ever. Australia will also be playing their first match on African soil.

The winner between Malawi and Australia will eventually meet either hosts Kenya or India four days later. The losing teams will contest the third-place playoff.