* Despite being only 19 years old, Faith Chinzimu has already become one of Malawi’s most influential players
* Based in Sweden, the midfielder stepped into a leading role during the qualifying campaign
* Particularly in the absence of experienced forwards Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga
By Duncan Mlanjira
As Confederation of African Football (CAF) previews participating at the Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026, Malawi Scorchers’ midfielder Faith Chinzimu has being singled out as ‘player to watch’.
The Scorchers received a bye to the second round of the WAfCON qualifiers following the withdrawal of Congo and were pitted with Angola.
After earning a goalless draw away in Luanda, the Scorchers secured qualification with a 2-0 victory at home in which Chinzimu scored both goals.
Chinzimu scored the two goals in under two minutes
“Despite being only 19 years old, Faith Chinzimu has already become one of Malawi’s most influential players,” reports CAFonline. “Based in Sweden, the midfielder stepped into a leading role during the qualifying campaign, particularly in the absence of experienced forwards Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga.
Chinzimu’s two goals against Angola came just two months after she signed for Swedish-club-BK-Hacken from Ascent Soccer, Malawi’s most successful football academy, which has exported several female and male players abroad.
CAF also takes note that Chinzimu’s central role in the Scorchers highlights “her growing importance to the national team”.
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“With [head coach] Lovemore Fazili’s experience on the touchline and the emerging talent of Faith Chinzimu, Malawi will be eager to make a positive impression as they begin a new chapter in the country’s women’s football history,” further reports CAFonline.
“Drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt, the Scorchers will look to build on the momentum of a memorable qualifying campaign as they make their long-awaited debut on the continental stage.”
The Scorchers will open their campaign against record-winning Super Falcons of Nigeria on July 28 at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat before facing North Africans, Egypt (August 1) and neighbours, Zambia (August 5).
CAF also highlights the role being played by coach Fazili, describing it as “very significant in the growth of women’s football in Malawi”.
“A former Malawi men’s international, Fazili has coached the country’s U-20, U-23 and senior men’s teams before turning his attention to the women’s national side.
“He holds a CAF B Licence and guided Malawi to their first-ever COSAFA Women’s Championship title in 2023, laying the foundations for the team’s historic qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s AFCON.
Coach Fazili
“Although the Scorchers have never previously qualified for the tournament, the national team has continued to develop in recent years, culminating in a historic breakthrough on the road to Morocco.
“Their debut provides an opportunity to measure their progress against some of Africa’s strongest women’s national teams.
“The Scorchers will enter the competition as underdogs but will take confidence from a successful qualifying campaign and valuable preparation through the COSAFA Women’s Championship.”
Meanwhile, US National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side, Kansas City Current wishes their Malawian star player Temwa Chawinga the best wishes at the WAfCON.
On its media platform, KC Current describes Temwa as “one of the world’s most dynamic players and clinical goalscorers”, who has won two NWSL MVP and Golden Boot awards in two successive seasons.
Temwa, who last played for the Scorchers in February last year in friendly international matches against Zambia, currently sits third on the 2026 NWSL Golden Boot leaderboard with eight goals and two assists.
This is the euphoria she carries along with her to the WAfCON, teaming up with fellow foreign-based stars — Chinzimu; her sister, forward Tabitha (Olympique Lyonnais, France); defender Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe, DR Congo); midfielders Rose Kabzere (Montpellier HSC Feminines, France); and Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes Women, Zambia), Vanessa Chikupila (Palm Hills Sports Club, Egypt) and Sabina Thom (Phoenix Academy Marrakesh (Morocco).
The domestic league players are:
* Goalkeepers — Mercy Sikelo (Civil Service Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lionesses) and Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens);
* Defenders — Doreen Dickson (MDF Lionesses), Tionge Phiri & Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika & Olivia Phikani (Ntopwa Queens), Talandira Chinyamvula & Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer), Benadetta Mkandawire (Nyasa Big Bullets Women);
* Midfielders — Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer), Chikondi Gondwe & Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies), Lyna James (Nyasa Big Bullets Women).
* Forwards — Deborah Henry (Silver Strikers Ladies), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women).
Apart from the Chawinga sisters and Chinzimu being highlighted, others include Sabina Thom, Rose Kabzere and emerging international star, Deborah Henry.
Deborah Henry (front)
Deborah, who won the Golden Boot in the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership 2025 that made her being voted Player of the Season award, earned the attention of coach Fazili, who roped her into the Scorchers.
She scored a hat-trick in her second international appearance when the Scorchers trounced Lesotho 8-1 at the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2026.
She went on to be selected in the Group-Stage-Best-XI alongside her team teammate, left back Ireen Khumalo. And despite the Scorchers exiting in group stages, both players were named in the Final-Best-XI.
