Malawi women's national football team

Malawi
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
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	155 1 (7 August 2025)
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 2023 they won the COSAFA title. In 2025 it was announced that the team would be sponsored by the National Bank of Malawi.

History

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]

In July 2025 it was announced that a new sponsorship deal had been agreed with the National Bank of Malawi. The bank was to sponsor a ten club premier league of women's clubs. The sponsorship also included a substantial sum to underwrite the costs of the national women's team.^[7]

Coaching staff

As of July 2024

Role	Name
Head coach	Lovermore Fazili
Assistant coach	Maggie Chombo

Managers History

Temwa Msuku (2012)^[8]
Thom Mkorongo (2015)^[9]
Maggie Chombo-Sadiki (2016–2018)^[10]
Stuart Mbolembole (2018)^[11]
Abel Mkandawire (2019)^[12]^[13]
McNebert Kazuwa (2020–2021)^[14]
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 (2024-10-23) 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 (2024-10-26) 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 (2024-10-28) 2024 COSAFA WC GS	Mauritius	0–9		Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2		Report	Chinyamula 8', 51', 79' Thom 23' (pen.), 70' (pen.), 83' Simwaka 27' Kachala 86' Kenneth 90+13'	Stadium: Madibaz Stadium Referee: Nteboheleng Setoko (Lesotho)

31 October 2024 (2024-10-31) 2024 COSAFA WC SF		0–2	Zambia	Ibhayi, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2		Report	Lubandji 46' Mukoma 68'	Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium Referee: Vistoria Nuusiku Shangula (Namibia)

2025

20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) 2026 WAFCON qualifying		Cancelled	Congo	Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Bingu National Stadium

26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 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	Chitundu 20' Kundananji 79'	Report		Stadium: REIZ Arena

25 February Friendly	Zambia	2–3		Lusaka, Zambia
11:30 UTC+2	Kundananji 6' Nachula 80'	Report	Kadzere 47' Chinzimu 56' Thom 61'	Stadium: REIZ Arena

5 April Friendly	South Africa	3–0		Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Mthandi 12', 52' Motlhalo 21'	Report		Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus

8 April Friendly	South Africa	2–1		Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2	Magaia 74' Motau 88'	Report	Chikupira 58'	Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium

19 June 2025 (2025-06-19) Friendly	Morocco	4–2		Kenitra, Morocco
20:30 UTC+1	Badri 40' Ouzraoui 43' Jraïdi 56' Chapelle 90+4'	Report	Ta. Chawinga 27' (pen.) Kadzere 35'	Stadium: Kenitra Municipal Stadium Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)

21 June 2025 (2025-06-21) 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

The following players were called up for two friendly matches against Morocco on June 2025.^[15]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
1	1GK	Mercy Sikelo	(2000-11-28) November 28, 2000	Ntopwa
16	1GK	Yamikani Kaonga	(2004-10-11) October 11, 2004	MDF Lioness
1	1GK	Ireen Sibande		Silver strikers Ladies

23	2DF	Bernadette Mkandawire	(2003-09-28) September 28, 2003	BIIK Kazygurt
18	2DF	Ireen Khumalo	(2003-12-12) December 12, 2003	Silver Strikers
21	2DF	Rose Alufandika	(2005-11-04) November 4, 2005	Ntopwa
5	2DF	Maureen Kenneth	(2007-10-28)October 28, 2007 (aged 16)	Ascent Academy
14	2DF	Maggie Chavula	(2005-04-28) April 28, 2005	Ascent Academy
3	2DF	Justina Jumbo		Silver strikers Ladies
3	2DF	Olivia Phikani		Kukoma Ntopwa

15	3MF	Leticia Chinyamula	(2006-06-12) June 12, 2006	Ascent Academy
8	3MF	Tendai Sani	(2004-01-11) January 11, 2004	Nyasa Big Bullets
12	3MF	Zainab Kapanda	(2002-03-12) March 12, 2002	Nyasa Big Bullets
	3MF	Asimenye Simwaka	(1997-08-08) August 8, 1997	MDF
	3MF	Jessie Yosefe		CIVO
6	3MF	Rose Kadzere	(2006-06-16) June 16, 2006	Montpellier
20	3MF	Funny Magombo	(2005-04-05) April 5, 2005	Ntopwa
2	3MF	Faith Chimzimu	(2007-02-21) February 21, 2007	Ascent Academy
13	3MF	Vanessa Chikupira	(1991-04-02) April 2, 1991	BIIK Kazygurt
	3MF	Victoria Mkwala

7	4FW	Chisomo Banda		Silver Strikers
11	4FW	Tabitha Chawinga	(1996-05-22) May 22, 1996	Lyon
7	4FW	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	(1998-04-08) April 8, 1998			MDF	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF	Tamala Simeza		-	-	Blue Eagles	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
DF	Chimwemwe Madise	(1992-04-06) April 6, 1992	-	-	TP Mazembe	v. South Africa,8 April 2025

MF	Letticia Chinyamula	(2006-06-12) 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	(1998-11-23) November 23, 1998			Nyasa Big Bullets	2024 COSAFA Women's Championship
MF	Sara Mulimbika	(2007-01-11) January 11, 2007	-	-	Ndirande	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
MF	Carolyne Mathyola	(1999-05-03) 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	(1998-09-20) September 20, 1998	-	-	Kansas City	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
FW	Catherine Kachala	(2001-10-01) October 1, 2001	-	-	MDF	v. Zambia,25 February 2025
FW	Vitumbiko Mkandawire	March 17			ZISD	v. South Africa,8 April 2025
FW	Sabina Thom	(1996-03-03) March 3, 1996	-	-	TP Mazembe	v. South Africa,8 April 2025

Previous squads

COSAFA Women's Championship

Tournament

World Cup

Year	Round	GP	W	D*	L	GF	GA	GD
2007	Did not qualify
2011	Did not enter
2015	Did not enter
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. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 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. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
^ Mabuka, Dennis (10 July 2025). "Malawi FA, National Bank unveils first-ever national women's league - Africa Top Sports". Retrieved 8 August 2025.
^ "She-polopolo massacre Malawi 7–0". 14 January 2012.
^ "Thom Mkorongo appointed women's coach - the Times Group Malawi". 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
^ "She-Flames coaches' contracts expire - the Times Group Malawi". 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
^ "She-Flames coach Stuart Mbolembole quits - the Times Group Malawi". 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
^ "Abel Mkandawire is new She-Flames coach - the Times Group Malawi". 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
^ "She-Flames coaches fired - the Times Group Malawi". November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
^ "FA Malawi appoints Kazuwa, Nkolongo as women football coaches – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 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.

External links

[FIFA_Women's_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.

[2] "Call them 'The Scorchers', not 'She-Flames'". Archived from the original on 27 October 2020.

[3] Diamond, Drew (17 October 2023). "COSAFA Cup: Malawi claim historic title with win over Zambia". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 17 October 2023.

[4] Diamond, Drew (19 October 2023). "COSAFA Champions Malawi to receive zero prize money". Her Football Hub. Retrieved 23 October 2023.

[zamb25-5] "Scorchers final squad for two friendly matches against South Africa". fam.mw. Football Association of Malawi. 1 April 2025. Retrieved 2 April 2025.

[6] Chirwa, Garry (17 February 2025). "Temwa in, Fazili names final squad". Nation Online. Archived from the original on 27 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.

[deal25-7] Mabuka, Dennis (10 July 2025). "Malawi FA, National Bank unveils first-ever national women's league - Africa Top Sports". Retrieved 8 August 2025.

[8] "She-polopolo massacre Malawi 7–0". 14 January 2012.

[9] "Thom Mkorongo appointed women's coach - the Times Group Malawi". 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[10] "She-Flames coaches' contracts expire - the Times Group Malawi". 24 January 2019. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[11] "She-Flames coach Stuart Mbolembole quits - the Times Group Malawi". 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[12] "Abel Mkandawire is new She-Flames coach - the Times Group Malawi". 12 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[13] "She-Flames coaches fired - the Times Group Malawi". November 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[14] "FA Malawi appoints Kazuwa, Nkolongo as women football coaches – Malawi Nyasa Times – News from Malawi about Malawi". 11 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

[15] "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.

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National women's football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar^†
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion^†
^†Associate member of CAF but not member of FIFA Football in Africa portal.