Tabitha Chawinga headlines Malawi's Scorchers squad to face Morocco

Photo Credit: Football Association of Malawi.

Striker Tabitha Chawinga has been named in the Malawi senior women's national football team squad to face Morocco's Atlas Lionesses in Casablanca on June 19 in a friendly.

Coach Lovemore Fazili included the Lyon striker alongside Rose Kadzere from another French side, Montpellier, and Kazakhstan-based duo, Bernadetter Mkandawitre and Vanesa Chipikula.

However, there is no place in the 24-member squad for Tabitha's sister, Temwa, who plays for Kansas City Current in the National Women's Soccer League. The Football Association of Malawi did not state the reasons for the omission of the America-based forward from the squad.

The Scorchers have been busy this year, having played four strength-testing matches already against Zambia and South Africa twice each, winning once and losing thrice.

Fazili is gearing up for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round matches against Angola later this year.

The following is the full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lionesses), Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies).

DEFENDERS: Benadetta Mkandawire (Biik Kazygurt), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Women).

MIDFIELDERS: Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Faith Chimzimu (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses), Jessie Yosefe (Civo Service Women), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier), Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Victoria Mkwala (Ascent Academy).

ATTACKERS: Vanessa Chipikula (Biik Kazygurt), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies), Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais), Sabina Thom (Lanchkhuti), Fatima Lali (Ascent Academy).