The Tri-Nations game in 2025
* That Malawi hosted in November at Bingu National Stadium during FIFA window for friendlies
* But they head into the encounter with renewed confidence following their impressive performance at the WAfCON Morocco 2025
* Where they finished as runners-up and secured historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027
By Duncan Mlanjira
Scorchers’ coach, Lovemore Fazili, emphasise that they are not underrating Zimbabwe because they are one of the strongest teams in as far as women’s football is concerned.
FAM Media quotes the coach saying they thus expect a tough game against Zimbabwe while looking for a winning start to their Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifying campaign tomorrow at Bingu National Stadium.
The two sides last met during the 2025 Tri-Nations tournament that Malawi hosted in November 2025 at Bingu National Stadium which the Mighty Warriors won 2-1.
But the Scorchers now head into the encounter with renewed confidence following their impressive performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON), where they finished as runners-up and secured historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
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FAM Media records that the Scorchers last participated in the Olympic qualifiers in 2019, in which they defeated Mozambique 14-1 on aggregate in the first round before losing 3-5 on aggregate to Kenya in the second round.
Fazili believes his charges are ready for tomorrow’s encounter but has warned against underrating Zimbabwe.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Fazili is quoted as saying, Zimbabwe are one of the strongest teams in African women’s football.
“But on our side, I think we are ready for tomorrow’s game. All we need is to perform well and win the match.”
Fazili has also urged his players to shift their focus from their historic WAfCON campaign and concentrate on the challenge ahead.
“First of all, we don’t want the players to dwell on our WAfCON performance. This is a totally different tournament, and they are aware of the importance of tomorrow’s game.
“We need to go out there and play well. At the end of the match, we want to win by a big margin because this is a home-and-away tie.”
On midfielder Faith Chinzimu, who is unavailable for the first leg, the coach expressed hope that she will be available for the return encounter.
Faith Chinzimu
“We are hoping Faith will be part of the team when we go to Zimbabwe,” said Fazili.
The Scorchers will travel to Zimbabwe for the second leg on Tuesday, with the winner of the two-legged tie progressing to the next round to face either Kenya or Seychelles.
There are 32 teams in the 2nd round from which 16 teams will qualify to the 3rd round to compete eight teams that will go to Round 4.
The final four nations will compete in the last round to determine two teams to represent Africa for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
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