Malawi head coach, Lovemore Fazili, has announced a 32-player provisional squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with star sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga headlining the selection.
Captain Tabitha Chawinga and vice-captain Temwa Chawinga are among the notable inclusions, with Temwa returning to the national team after missing the Scorchers’ recent fixtures.
Fazili has also handed opportunities to two members of Malawi’s U-20 side, Takondwa Chinyamvula and Fatima Lali, as part of the squad preparing for the continental tournament.
The Scorchers will commence their training camp at Mpira Village in Blantyre on Sunday as they intensify preparations for the competition.
Most of the foreign-based players are expected to join the camp from the opening day, although Faith Chinzimu, Asimenye Simwaka and Temwa Chawinga will link up with the team at a later date.
Malawi are set to make their maiden appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt.
Fazili’s side will begin their campaign against defending champions Nigeria at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on July 28.
Malawi Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Mercy Sikelo (Civil Service Women)
Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness)
Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Defenders
Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness)
Tionge Phiri (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
Talandira Chinyamvula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe)
Midfielders
Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Queens)
Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer Academy)
Rose Smith Kabzere (Montpellier HSC Féminines)
Faith Chimzimu (BK Häcken)
Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Tendai Sani (ZISD)
Vanessa Chipikula (Palm Hills Sports Club)
Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes Women)
Vitumbiko Mercy Mkandawire (Civil Service Women)
Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness)
Forwards
Sabina Thom (Phoenix Academy Marrakesh)
Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens FC)
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current)
Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyonnais)
Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer Academy)
A headline option: Malawi Unveil 32-Player Squad for WAFCON Debut.
