National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) Chairperson Adellaide Migogo has challenged Malawi Women’s National Football Team players to use the absence of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, as their stepping stone to greatness.
The Chawinga sisters and five others will not be part of this Scorchers’ squad during the Cosafa Women’s Championship title defence campaign slated to run from today to November 2 in South Africa.
The Scorchers will also be without France-based attacker Rose Kabzere, US-based striker Chioma Okafor, Chimwemwe Madise who plays in Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia-based duo Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Irene Khumalo.
Migogo said the absence of the seven was a blessing in disguise as it had given other players to shine and help the country defend the championship.
“Much as we would have loved to have the seven to be part of the squad but circumstances did not allow. Nevertheless, it is their chance to shine and help the country retain the cup.
“Our squad is full of quality and I believe other players will step up to fill the void left by the absence of the seven. This is where they have to fight to market themselves to earn lucrative deals,” Migogo said.
The NWFA boss said the Scorchers’ performance since 2022 has been improving and retaining the cup was their ultimate mission.
“In 2022 the Scorchers lost in the final and a year later they won. We have to work hard to defend the cup this time around,” Migogo said.
The squad’s skipper Patricia Nyirenda said they were geared to put extra effort to defend the cup.
“We are the Scorchers and a lot is expected from us. We will try our best to defend the cup so that our compatriots should be happy too,” Nyirenda said.
The Scorchers left the country Monday in two groups.
They will start this year’s campaign with a game against Botswana Wednesday before facing Madagascar on Saturday.
The Scorchers will conclude the group stages with a game against Mauritius on Monday October 28.
Coach Lovemore Fazili has selected 23 players with MDF Lioness goalkeeper Yamikani Kawonga, Ascent Soccer’s Maureen Kenneth, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s Tendai Sani, Silver Strikers’ Chisomo Banda and MDF Lioness’ Catherine Kachala making it into the squad for the first time while Bullets Women’s Pilirani Malora has returned to the team after missing for over five years.
Below is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens), Yamikani Kawonga (MDF Lioness)
Defenders: Patricia Nyirenda (MDF Lioness), Bernadetta Mkandawire (FCB NBB Women), Faith Chizimu (Ascent Soccer), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer).
Midfielders: Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer), Carolyne Mathyola (Silver Strikers FC), Sara Mulimbika (Ndirande Soccer Giants), Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Lyna James (FCB NBB Women), Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Women), Tendai Sani (FCB NBB Women), Pilirani Malora (FCB NBB Women).
Strikers: Vannesa Chikupila (Green Bufaloes-Zambia), Mary Chavinda (Rayon- Rwanda), Sabina Thom (TP Mazembe- DRC), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies), Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness).
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