Injured Temwa Chawinga available for FIFA Series? Fazili responds

Malawi women’s national team coach Lovemore Fazili has addressed questions surrounding the inclusion of injured National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) star Temwa Chawinga in the provisional squad for the forthcoming assignments.

The coach ignited questions after naming the Kansas City Current forward in Malawi’s provisional 35-member squad for the Four Nations FIFA Series Tournament in Kenya.

The Pangolin goes back-to-back!

For the second year in a row, Malawian striker Temwa Chawinga has won the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot, finishing the season with 15 goals and 3 assists in 23 matches for Kansas City Current. Two seasons in the league, two Golden Boots — unstoppable! pic.twitter.com/bnpQNAK5xN

— #442Malawi (@442_Malawi) November 3, 2025

In an interview with the media in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre, on Monday, the Scorchers handler fell short of assuring the availability of the America-based striker for the FIFA Series.

Fazili fails to guarantee Temwa Chawinga’s availability

“The status is 50-50,” said the coach. “She might be with us or not. She is on the list because of whatever we are getting from the other side. She can be there and not be there.”

On the other hand, Fazili said the friendlies will come at the right time as the Scorchers seek to fine-tune for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals.

“These games are very important for us because we are going there to meet big teams like Australia. The FIFA Series have come at the right time. We hope to learn from Australia, a highly ranked opposition, and we believe they, too, can also learn from us. Our objective is to prepare for the WAFCON finals,” added the coach.

Which teams will Malawi square up in FIFA Series?

Fazili released the Scorchers squad on Monday with the 2025 NWSL Golden Boot Award winner earning the call up despite that she has not played competitive football since October due to an abductor injury.

#TheDailyTimes back page: National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) giants Kansas City Current have said the return of United States (US)-based Malawi Women’s
National Football Team striker Temwa
Chawinga is still unclear.https://t.co/4PqxEvAA7l pic.twitter.com/cfqBcvY1ui

— Times 360 Malawi (@Times360Malawi) January 21, 2026

Temwa Chawinga last featured for the Scorchers during a game against Zambia in February 2025, but she has since resumed light training at Kansas City Current.

Malawi is gearing up for the Four Nations FIFA Series Tournament in Kenya scheduled from 11 to 15 April.

Malawi will meet Australia on 11 April to decide the winner who will eventually take on either hosts Kenya or India four days later. The losing teams will contest the third-place playoff.

The 2023 COSAFA Women’s Champions will regroup for camp training in Blantyre on Wednesday.

Malawi women’s national team provisional squad

Goalkeepers
Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa)
Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness)
Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)

Defenders
Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe)
Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa)
Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness)
Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Taonga Phiri (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa)
Gladys Joseph (Civil Service Women)
Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens)

Midfielders
Madyina Ngulube (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness)
Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Women)
Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Rose Kabzere (Montpellier)
Faith Chimzimu (BK Haken FC)
Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women)
Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Sarah Mlimbika (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens)
Tendai Sani (ZISD)
Vanessa Chikupila (Palm Hills Sports Club)
Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa)

Forwards
Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyon)
Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades)
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City)
Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Sabina Thom (Phoenix Feminin)