Malawi’s trio unavailable for Banyana Banyana friendlies

Malawi’s Scorchers:

Photo Credit: Football Association of Malawi.

Malawi senior women’s national football team stars Rose Kadzere, Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga will not be available for the Scorchers friendlies against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.

The France-based Kadzere, Tabitha and her younger sister Temwa will not make the trip to Johannesburg due to the South African Football Association (SAFA)’s delayed confirmation of the strength-building matches scheduled for 5 and 8 April 2025.

In a statement, the Football Association of Malawi says it cancelled the trio’s invitations to the games following SAFA’s earlier indication that the matches would not proceed.

The absence of the three players leaves Chimwemwe Madise, Vanessa Chikupira, and Bernadetta Makandawire as the only foreign-based players available for the Scorchers in South Africa.

The Malawi Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili has since said he would work his game plan around the home-based players.

“Of course, it’s disappointing to miss some players who strengthen our team, but the locally based players are improving and gaining maturity. With the addition of some foreign-based players, we will build a strong team,” he said.

The Kansas City attacker Temwa, Lyon’s elder sister Tabitha and Kadzere had indicated that they would come for the back-to-back encounters against Banyana Banyana since the games fall within FIFA window for international football matches for women’s football.

Meanwhile, the Scorchers safely arrived in Johannesburg ahead of their two friendly matches against South Africa. Malawi is preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round matches against Angola.