Malawi women's national football team
| Nickname(s) | Scorchers | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | FAM | ||
| Confederation | CAF | ||
| Sub-confederation | COSAFA (Southern Africa) | ||
| Head coach | Lovermore Fazili | ||
| Captain | Tabitha Chawinga Chisomo Kazisonga | ||
| Home stadium | Bingu National Stadium | ||
| FIFA code | MWI | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 154 (12 June 2025)[1] | ||
| Highest | 110 (December 2017 – March 2018) | ||
| Lowest | 159 (June – August 2023) | ||
| First international | |||
| Zambia 8–0 (Harare, Zimbabwe; 20 April 2002) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
| 17–0 Seychelles (Blantyre, Malawi; 25 September 2023) 17–0 Seychelles (Blantyre, Malawi; 28 September 2023) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
| Zambia 8–0 (Harare, Zimbabwe; 20 April 2002) | |||
The Malawi women's national football team represents Malawi in women's football at international level. It is overseen by the Football Association of Malawi.
In 2020 the nickname Scorchers was adopted for the team. Previously it was referred to as She-Flames.[2]
In 2023 Malawi won their first and only COSAFA title defeating Zambia 2–1 at the final.[3] It was announced shortly after Malawi won the COSAFA that there controversially would be no prize money available for any of the national teams.[4]
In February 2025 seven players flew back to Africa to join others picked to play Zambia by Lovemore Fazili.[5] Chimwemwe Madise and Sabina Thom are contracted to play in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Tabitha Chawinga and Rose Kabzere were in France. Bernadette Mkandawire was with Vanessa Chikupira in Zambia and Temwa Chawinga joined them from America.[6]
Coaching staff
- As of July 2024
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Lovermore Fazili |
| Assistant coach | Maggie Chambo |
Managers History
- Temwa Msuku (2012)[7]
- Thom Mkorongo (2015)[8]
- Maggie Chombo-Sadik (2016–2018)[9]
- Stuart Mbolembole (2018)[10]
- Abel Mkandawire (2019)[11][12]
- McNebert Kazuwa (2020–2021)[13]
- Lovermore Fazili (2023-)
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2024
| 23 October 2024 2024 COSAFA WC GS | 1–1 | Botswana | Ibhayi, South Africa | |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Chizimu 28' | Report | Moloi 40' | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho) |
| 26 October 2024 2024 COSAFA WC GS | 1–0 | Madagascar | Gqeberha, South Africa | |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Simwaka 7' | Report | Stadium: Madibaz Stadium Referee: Seonyatseng Tshephe (Botswana) |
| 28 October 2024 2024 COSAFA WC GS | Mauritius | 0–9 | Gqeberha, South Africa | |
| 12:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Madibaz Stadium Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho) |
| 31 October 2024 2024 COSAFA WC SF | 0–2 | Zambia | Ibhayi, South Africa | |
| 14:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium Referee: Vistoria Nuusiku Shangula (Namibia) |
2025
| 20 February 2025 2026 WAFCON qualifying | Cancelled | Congo | Lilongwe, Malawi | |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Bingu National Stadium |
| 26 February 2025 2026 WAFCON qualifying | Congo | Cancelled | Brazzaville, Congo | |
| 15:30 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat |
| 23 February Friendly | Zambia | 2–0 | Lusaka, Zambia | |
| 11:00 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: REIZ Arena |
| 25 February Friendly | Zambia | 2–3 | Lusaka, Zambia | |
| 11:30 UTC+2 |
|
Report | Stadium: REIZ Arena |
| 5 April Friendly | South Africa | 3–0 | Johannesburg, South Africa | |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus |
| 8 April Friendly | South Africa | 2–1 | Pretoria, South Africa | |
| 15:00 UTC+2 | Report | Chikupira 58' | Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium |
| 19 June 2025 Friendly | Morocco | 4–2 | Kenitra, Morocco | |
| 20:30 UTC+1 | Report |
|
Stadium: Kenitra Municipal Stadium Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal) |
| 21 June 2025 Friendly | Ghana | 3–1 | Benslimane, Morocco | |
| 17:00 UTC+1 | Boaduwaa 23' (pen.), 32', 81' | Report | Sani 15' | Stadium: Ziaida Palace Complex |
Players
Current squad
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Mercy Sikelo | November 28, 2000 | Ntopwa | ||
| 16 | GK | Yamikani Kaonga | October 11, 2004 | MDF Lioness | ||
| 1 | GK | Ireen Sibande | Silver strikers Ladies | |||
| 23 | DF | Benadetta Mkandawire | September 28, 2003 | BIIK Kazygurt | ||
| 18 | DF | Ireen Khumalo | December 12, 2003 | Silver Strikers | ||
| 21 | DF | Rose Alufandika | November 4, 2005 | Ntopwa | ||
| 5 | DF | Maureen Kenneth | October 28, 2007 (aged 16) | Ascent Academy | ||
| 14 | DF | Maggie Chavula | April 28, 2005 | Ascent Academy | ||
| 3 | DF | Justina Jumbo | Silver strikers Ladies | |||
| 3 | DF | Olivia Phikani | Kukoma Ntopwa | |||
| 15 | MF | Leticia Chinyamula | June 12, 2006 | Ascent Academy | ||
| 8 | MF | Tendai Sani | January 11, 2004 | Nyasa Big Bullets | ||
| 12 | MF | Zainab Kapanda | March 12, 2002 | Nyasa Big Bullets | ||
| MF | Asimenye Simwaka | August 8, 1997 | MDF | |||
| MF | Jessie Yosefe | CIVO | ||||
| 6 | MF | Rose Kadzere | June 16, 2006 | Montpellier | ||
| 20 | MF | Funny Magombo | April 5, 2005 | Ntopwa | ||
| 2 | MF | Faith Chimzimu | February 21, 2007 | Ascent Academy | ||
| 13 | MF | Vanessa Chikupira | April 2, 1991 | BIIK Kazygurt | ||
| MF | Victoria Mkwala | |||||
| 7 | FW | Chisomo Banda | Silver Strikers | |||
| 11 | FW | Tabitha Chawinga | May 22, 1996 | Lyon | ||
| 7 | FW | Fatima Ali | Silver Strikers | |||
Recent call-ups
The following players had been called up to a squad in 12 months preceding the above draft.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Hendrina Phiri | Fact | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| DF | Joyce Oposi | MDF | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| DF | Gladys Joseph | CIVO | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| DF | Grace Yotamu | Nyasa Big Bullets | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| DF | Patricia Nyirenda | April 8, 1998 | MDF | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship | ||
| DF | Tamala Simeza | - | - | Blue Eagles | v. Zambia,25 February 2025 | |
| DF | Chimwemwe Madise | April 6, 1992 | - | - | TP Mazembe | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 |
| MF | Letticia Chinyamula | June 12, 2006 | Ascent Academy | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | ||
| MF | Caroline Matchola | Silver Strikers | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| MF | Ruth Tambala | MDF | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| MF | Wezzie Chavura | Silver Strikers | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| MF | Linda Manda | Silver Strikers | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| MF | Pililani Malora | Nyasa Big Bullets | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship | |||
| MF | Lyna James | November 23, 1998 | Nyasa Big Bullets | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship | ||
| MF | Sara Mulimbika | January 11, 2007 | - | - | Ndirande | v. Zambia,25 February 2025 |
| MF | Carolyne Mathyola | May 3, 1999 | - | - | Silver Strikers | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 |
| MF | Lydia Mchochoma | - | - | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 | ||
| MF | Faluna Umali | - | - | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 | ||
| FW | Kandau Banda | Ntopwa | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| FW | Annie Mughogho | Hungry Lions | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| FW | Chioma Okafor | University of Connecticut | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship, PRE | |||
| FW | Mary Chavinda | Rayon Sports | 2024 COSAFA Women's Championship | |||
| FW | Temwa Chawinga | September 20, 1998 | - | - | Kansas City | v. Zambia,25 February 2025 |
| FW | Catherine Kachala | October 1, 2001 | - | - | MDF | v. Zambia,25 February 2025 |
| FW | Vitumbiko Mkandawire | March 17 | ZISD | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 | ||
| FW | Sabina Thom | March 3, 1996 | - | - | TP Mazembe | v. South Africa,8 April 2025 |
Previous squads
- COSAFA Women's Championship
- 2020 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
- 2022 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
- 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship squad
Tournament
World Cup
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2011 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||
| 2019 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2023 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2027 | To be determined | |||||||
Olympic Games
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2012 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2016 | ||||||||
| 2020 | ||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Africa Cup
| Year | Round | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 to 2006 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2008 to 2010 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2014 to 2018 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2022 | Did not qualify | |||||||
| 2024 | Did not enter | |||||||
African Games
| Year | Round | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2011 | ||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||
| 2023 | Did not qualify | |||||||
COSAFA Championship
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Group stage | |||||||
| 2006 | Group stage | |||||||
| 2008 | Did not enter | |||||||
| 2011 | 4th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 14 | −6 |
| 2017 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 2018 | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | −6 |
| 2019 | Group stage | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 | +13 |
| 2020 | 3rd | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 |
| 2021 | Runner up | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 7 | +2 |
| 2023 | Winners | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 6 | +13 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
References
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
- ^ "Call them 'The Scorchers', not 'She-Flames'". Archived from the original on 27 October 2020.
- ^ Diamond, Drew (17 October 2023). "COSAFA Cup: Malawi claim historic title with win over Zambia". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Diamond, Drew (19 October 2023). "COSAFA Champions Malawi to receive zero prize money". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Scorchers final squad for two friendly matches against South Africa". fam.mw. Football Association of Malawi. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
- ^ Chirwa, Garry (17 February 2025). "Temwa in, Fazili names final squad". Nation Online. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "She-polopolo massacre Malawi 7–0". 14 January 2012.
- ^ "Thom Mkorongo appointed women's coach - the Times Group Malawi". 21 July 2015.
- ^ "She-Flames coaches' contracts expire - the Times Group Malawi". 24 January 2019.
- ^ "She-Flames coach Stuart Mbolembole quits - the Times Group Malawi". 26 February 2018.
- ^ "Abel Mkandawire is new She-Flames coach - the Times Group Malawi". 12 March 2019.
- ^ "She-Flames coaches fired - the Times Group Malawi". November 2019.
- ^ "FA Malawi appoints Kazuwa, Nkolongo as women football coaches – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". 11 March 2020.
- ^ "Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili has named a 24-member squad for a friendly match against Morocco in Casablanca next week". fam.mw. Football Association of Malawi. 5 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.