WAFCON (Q): Chawinga sisters lead Malawi squad for Angola clash

Chawinga sisters Temwa and Tabitha have been named in Malawi’s provisional squad to face Angola in a 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Angola.

Temwa, who plays for American side Kansas City Current FC and Lyon star Tabitha, will certainly make the final cut when the Scorchers face Angola away on August 23 in Luanda. The two teams will meet again at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe five days later.

The Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili named the squad on Tuesday ahead of the first leg match, with most members being experienced.

Other notable inclusions in the squad are 2022 COSAFA U-17 Girls’ Championship top scorer Rose Kabzere of French side Montpellier and attacker Vanessa Chikupila of Biik Kazygurt (Kazakhstan). Malawi hope to sail past Angola in the two-legged tie to clinch their first ever WAFCON final ticket.

Ahead of the Angola game, the Scorchers played eight friendlies twice each against South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia and once each against Ghana and Morocco.

The Malawians beat Zambia once and Lesotho twice while losing the rest against the giants, raising questions on their readiness for the test against the Angolans.

Malawi’s full squad:

Goalkeepers; Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s) Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies).

Defenders; Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (kukoma Ntopwa women), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy), Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness), Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens), Justina Jombo (Silver Strikers Ladies) Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens).

Midfielders; Kabzere (Montpellier), Vannessa Chikupira (FC BIIK-Kazygurt), Faith Chimzimu (BK Hacken), Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (ZISD), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa women), Sarah Mulimbika (Kukoma Mtopwa Queens), Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens) Sharon Dzimau (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women).

Forwards; Tabitha (Olympique Lyonnais Féminin) Temwa  (Kansas City Current) Sabina Thom (MDF Lioness) Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness) Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness), Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens) Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer Academy) Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies).