* Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili ahead of tomorrow’s clash against the 10-time WAfCON title winners
* It was not an easy task to qualify — we fought for it and definitely, we are going to do the same when we play Nigeria
* We are going to fight because we cannot go to the battlefield aiming to be killed
Maravi Express
As Malawi Scorchers open their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026 campaign against defending champions, Nigeria tomorrow, July 28, at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, head coach Lovemore Fazili dismissed concerns over the team’s inexperience at the continental stage.
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The match will mark Malawi’s first-ever appearance at the WAfCON and the first meeting between the Scorchers and the Super Falcons.
Fazili has expressed confidence in his charges ahead of the Group C opener, saying the team is ready to compete against the defending champions.
“…what I can say is that we are going there to fight because we cannot go to the battlefield aiming to be killed,” Fazili is quoted as saying by FAM Media. “We are going there to fight, and I am sure the players are aware of that.”
He added that although Nigeria have a strong history in the competition, football can always produce surprises: “Nigeria are the champions, but sometimes history in football can change.
“We have seen before small teams doing wonders, so we are going there to fight and get something positive out of the game after 90 minutes.”
Temwa Chawinga in action when the Scorchers lost 0-4 to Ghana in pre-tournament international friendly
In dismissing concerns over the team’s experience, the coach stated that the Scorchers have had enough international exposure over the past two years.
“So far so good. Before and after we qualified for WAfCON, we played plenty of international friendly matches. We have played Australia, South Africa and India.”
He emphasised that qualifying for the tournament was not easy, and the same fighting spirit will be required against Nigeria.
“When we qualified, it was not an easy task. We fought for it, and definitely we are going to do the same when we play Nigeria,” he said.
In the other Group C match, Egypt will face Zambia as the battle for quarterfinal places begins into which the top two teams from each of the four groups.
Meanwhile, the tournament kicked off yesterday that saw the hosts Morocco set early standards with emphatic 4-0 win over Kenya while Algeria beat Senegal 2-0.—Reporting by FAM Media; editing by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
Results and fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):
Group stages
Group A
Sunday, July 26
Algeria 2-9 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Thursday, July 30
Senegal v Kenya (19h00)
Morocco v Algeria (22h00)
Monday, August 3
Senegal v Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Group B
Today, July 27
South Africa v Tanzania (19h00)
Côte d’Ivoire v Burkina Faso (22h00)
Friday, July 31
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Group C
Tomorrow, July 28
Zambia v Egypt (19h00)
Nigeria v Malawi (22h00)
Saturday, August 1
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Group D
Wednesday, July 29
Ghana v Cape Verde (19h00)
Cameroon vs Mali (22h00)
Sunday, August 2
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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