Getting a feel of their environment in Rabat
* Their other Group C opponents Egypt have played two friendlies against Senegal in Cairo losing 0-1 Wednesday last week and winning 1-0 last Saturday
* Nigeria are set for friendly with Ghana in Casablanca on Saturday as the Super Falcons intensify their preparations in defence of the title
* The Scorchers maiden appearance at the WAfCON starts with the 10-time champions on July 28 at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat
By Duncan Mlanjira
Malawi Scorchers, who arrived in Rabat on Tuesday for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026, will play hosts Morocco and Ghana in an international friendlies as preparations for their debut appearance at the continental stage.
Deputy Ambassador at the Malawi Embassy Morocco, Dr. Kennedy Bisani Lweya welcomed the Scorchers in Rabat
FAM Media reports that the Scorchers will play Morocco in Rabat tomorrow, July 16, before facing Ghana in Mohammedia on July 23 ahead of the tournament that is scheduled for July 26 to 16 August.
Their maiden match is up against 10-time champions, Nigeria on July 28 at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat followed by Egypt on August 1 at Moulay Hassan Stadium and concluding the group stage against neighbours and regional rivals Zambia on August 5 at Al Madina Stadium.
The Super Eagles are also not leaving a stone unturned as they have dated Ghana for a friendly in Casablanca on Saturday to enhance their tactical strength in defence of the title.
The Super Falcons
Egypt played out two friendlies against Senegal in Cairo in which they lost 0-1 through a penalty before winning 1-0 last Saturday.
Egypt v Morocco last Saturday
The Copper Queens of Zambia will also play two friendly games against Algeria before flying to Morocco for the competition.
FAM Media reports that head coach Lovemore Fazili said the Scorchers are ready for the continental showpiece and will take the tournament one step at a time.
“The team is geared for the tournament, and being our first appearance, the target for now is to get out of the group and then take it step by step to see how far we can go,” he is quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Fazili — who named a 23-member squad for the tournament — has recalled Chisomo Banda, Lyna James and Tendai Sani to join the squad and are expected to leave Malawi on Friday, July 17.
Vice-captain Temwa Chawinga, who did not join team camp but her sister and captain, Tabitha, is reported to arrive in Rabat on Saturday, July 20.
Temwa hasn’t been in action with the rest of the squad’s preparations since February last year, including missing some very important friendlies ahead of the WAfCON 2026.
Meanwhile, Confederation of African Football (CAF) launch a Stars Spotlight Webinar Series last week bringing together some of Africa’s leading women’s football stars for an exclusive media engagement ahead of the continent’s premier women’s football competition.
Today’s session involved the Scorchers’ captain Tabitha alongside former African Women Player of the Year, Nigeria’s celebrated star, Asisat Oshoala; Zambia’s Barbra Banda (recent former African Women Player of the Year); Refiloe Jane (South Africa); Cynthia F. Konlan (Ghana); Nadine Ghazi (Egypt); and Anastazia Katunzi (Tanzania).
Reigning African Women Player of the Year, Ghizlane Chebbak of Morocco was featured last week along with Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné (Cameroon), Chloé N’Gazi (Algeria), Mama Diop (Senegal), Bernadette Amani (Côte d’Ivoire) and Charlotte Millogo (Burkina Faso).
According to CAFonline, the discussion explored the players’ preparations for the tournament, their ambitions for the competition and the continued growth of women’s football across Africa.
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