* Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili says his charges understand what is at stake and will approach the match with full commitment
* We are very prepared for the game. We are serious because there is a lot at stake. We are supposed to get a win
* However, Sabina Thom has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, while Leticia Chinyamula and Madyina Nguluwe are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards
By Duncan Mlanjira
Having played against Scorchers twice — and despite convincingly winning both — Ghana’s coach Kim Lars Björkgren, however, does not consider Malawi a mere surprise as had been the tag the COSAFA side have been given at their debut Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON).
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“They are a very good and hardworking group,” he tells CAFonline ahead of the quarterfinal clash this evening (22h00).
He takes cognizance that the two teams faced each other in the WAfCON Morocco 2026 pre-tournament in which the Black Queens won 4-0 and the Swedish coach knows above all that he will have to find the right balance.
“We can’t just defend with 11 players,” he is quoted as saying by CAFonline, adding that his charges will have to contain the two strikers, Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga while maintaining their identity and ability to be dangerous offensively.
CAFonline analyses that it’s impossible for Ghana to prepare for this match without mentioning Tabitha and Temwa, saying: “The two sisters represent Malawi’s main attacking threat and have already significantly contributed to their national team’s historic run.”
On his part, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili is quoted by FAM Media as saying his charges understand what is at stake and will approach the match with full commitment.
“We are very prepared for the game. We are serious because there is a lot at stake. We are supposed to get a win in tomorrow’s game,” he is quoted as saying.
“I am sure we are going there seriously to give out everything so that we can be victorious. If we go through, it means we are going to play at the World Cup next year. This is something everybody is looking for.”
The Scorchers go into the match after a 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final Group C match and despite the loss, Malawi finished top of the group in their maiden WAfCON appearance.
Fazili said the defeat to Zambia did not take away the positives from the team’s performance, especially in the second half: “I totally agree that we lost that game against Zambia, but positively, I think we played very well.
“Especially in the second half, we managed to fight back. We got one goal and at the end of the game we were down 2-1.
“But we were on top of the game and played very well. Whatever we left from the Zambia game, I think we have taken it into the Ghana game.
“The players are hungry and want to continue from where they left in the second half against Zambia,” said the coach, who added that he will be without three key players for the quarterfinal.
Sabina Thom has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a knee injury, while Leticia Chinyamula and Madyina Nguluwe are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.
He admitted the trio will be missed, but said the technical panel has prepared replacements: “Definitely, we are going to miss the three because they contributed a lot in the three games we played.
“But we have plan B for their replacements and they are good players as well. I am very sure they are going to deliver. These are also players who need to be given a chance to play and start this coming game.”
Fazili said qualification to the World Cup would be a historic gift to Malawians and a major milestone for FAM: “A win is very important because this is what Malawians have been looking for.
“This is what FAM has been looking for. It will be a very good thing to give to Malawians that we have qualified to play at the World Cup next year.
“For us and the players, this achievement would be huge, and we would celebrate together with Malawians because it has never happened before.”
CAFonline emphasises that the Scorchers have “earned the right to be taken seriously. Coach Lovemore Fazili refuses to look beyond the next match.
“His message remains true to the one that best describes the Scorchers since their arrival in Morocco — ‘taking it one step at a time’.”
“This approach is also shared by Tabitha, the captain and leading figure of the team. The Lyon player knows what qualifying for the World Cup would mean, for herself, her teammates, and the young players of her country.
“The Scorchers have already demonstrated their ability to punish even the slightest mistake. Their speed in transition, Temwa’s power, and Tabitha’s intelligence create a particularly difficult combination to contain.
In their debut appearance at the WAFCON, the Scorchers have already made a strong impression. After defeating the reigning champions Nigeria 3-2 in their opening fixture, and then confirming their solidity throughout the group stages with a 3-1 win over Egypt, they finished top of Group C.
“Ghana, on the other hand, are no strangers to this kind of competition,” reports CAFonline. “They also boast a defense that has conceded only two goals since the start of the tournament, a testament to their solidity.”
Group stage results, standings and knockout stage 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 A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Senegal 1-0 Kenya
Morocco 1-0 Algeria
Senegal 0-0 Morocco
Kenya 0-2 Algeria
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
South Africa 2-2 Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso 2-1 Tanzania
Burkina Faso 0-1 South Africa
Tanzania 1-2 Côte d’Ivoire
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Egypt 1-3 Malawi
Nigeria 1-9 Zambia
Egypt 2-6 Nigeria
Malawi 1-2 Zambia
Group D
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde
Cameroon 2-1 Mali
Ghana 0-1 Cameroon
Mali 3-2 Cape Verde
Mali 1-1 Ghana
Cape Verde 1-1 Cameroon
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Quarterfinals
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Algeria
Morocco 2-1 South Africa
Today, August 9
Cameroon v Nigeria (19h00)
Malawi v Ghana (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Morocco v Cameroon/Nigeria (19h00)
SF1: Algeria v Malawi/Ghana (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
South Africa v Cameroon/Nigeria (19h00)
Côte d’Ivoire v Malawi/Ghana (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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