* With increased rewards for reaching the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final
* As Women’s Premiership and Scorchers sponsors NBM see off the team to their debut WAfCON appearance
* Supporting the Scorchers every step of the way, we remain committed to standing with the team, providing unwavering support
By Duncan Mlanjira
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has announced that as a demonstration of confidence in the Scorchers ahead of their debut Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026, FAM has introduced a MK2 million winning bonus per player for every group-stage victory.
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FAM president Fleetwood Haiya posted on his official Facebook account that the bonus pledge would be increased for reaching the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.
The tournament’s has a twist in that the four teams to progress into the semifinals will automatically qualify for the Women’s FIFA World Cup 2027 in Brazil, which is a major carrot for the teams.
The losing quarterfinalists will also have another chance to qualify to the World Cup as they will play an additional play-off round at the Morocco competition to determine two teams that will advance to the intercontinental preliminary stage.
Those play-offs will be staged in February 2027 and feature 10 teams drawn from all six of FIFA’s confederations, with one each from Oceania and Europe.
Haiya is confident of the squad, saying: “Our preparations have been thorough and focused, including international friendly matches during camp as we fine-tuned our readiness ahead of our opening fixture against Nigeria on 28 July.
“To our Scorchers — you carry the hopes of over 22 million Malawians. Wear the Malawi flag with pride, discipline, courage, and humility. You are not only representing a nation, you are inspiring generations.”
Haiya also extended his “sincere appreciation” State First Lady “for her encouragement and special support to the team”, as well as to President Arthur Peter Muthalika “for his unwavering leadership and commitment to sports, particularly the advancement of women and girls”.
He also recognised the Government, through the Ministers of Sports, Finance, Natural Resources, and Agriculture, the Secretary to the President & Cabinet, the Malawi National Council of Sports, National Bank of Malawi (NBM), partners, affiliates, the football family, supporters — “and every Malawian who has stood with [the team]”.
Meanwhile, National Bank of Malawi — who are sponsors of the country’s top tier women’s league, the NBM Women’s Premiership and the Scorchers — saw off the team at Kamuzu International Airport to their debut WAfCON appearance.
“Supporting the Scorchers every step of the way,” said NBM on its LinkedIn platform. “As the Official Sponsor of Malawi’s women’s national football team, we remain committed to standing with the team, providing unwavering support, and contributing to the continued growth and development of football and sports in Malawi.
“We wish the Scorchers the very best as they represent Malawi on the continental stage. Go well, champions!”
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