* After playing against Morocco yesterday which the hosts won 4-2 coming from two goals behind at Kenitra Stadium in Casablanca
* This will be the Scorchers’ 6th international friendly match in the first half of the year as part of their ongoing preparations for WafCON 2026 qualifiers against Angola in October
Maravi Express
After their performance against top billing African women’s national football team, Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, in which Malawi lost 2-4 last evening at Kenitra Stadium in Casablanca, the Scorchers have secured another international friendly to face Ghana on Saturday, June 21st at 18h00 at Ziaida Palace Complex.
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This will be the Scorchers’ sixth international friendly match in the first half of the year, as part of their ongoing preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026 qualifiers against Angola in October.
The Scorchers lost 0-2 and won 2-3 against Zambia in February before losing 0-4 on aggregate (0-2 each in first and second friendlies) against South Africa in April and in their 5th yesterday — against one of top billing women’s football national team, Morocco, they were leading 2-0 up until the 40th minute.
A report by Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Media, Fam.mw, France-based captain, Tabitha Chawinga took the team into the lead in the 27th minute from the penalty spot before another France-based Rose Kabzere doubled the lead just eight minutes later (35’).
But in the 40th, Bernadettar Mkandawire scored an own goal as she was trying to clear the ball from the line and it from there that the hosts opened the floodgates to score three more.
FAM Media records that this is the first time in history for the two teams to meet as the hosts prepare for the upcoming WAfCON 2025 finals next month as the Scorchers prepare for Angola in October.
The coach Lovemore Fazili side are reported to have gone into the match with all the energy pressing the hosts from the first minute through Chawinga, Sabina Thom and Rose Kabzere in which they won the first corner of the match which was later cleared by the defence.
As they continued to press in search for an opening goal, Chawinga was fouled by the goalkeeper in the box at 27 minutes, and she converted the penalty to make it 1-0 before Kabzere doubled the lead just eight minutes later after being set by her captain, Tabitha.
Three minutes after Bernadettar’s OG (42’), the hosts leveled through Sakina Ouzraou, making it two-all at recess and they started second half with pressing for more goals.
The report furthers says the Scorchers kept playing in their own half until Idtissam Jraidi scored the third goal for Morocco at 56 minutes and the final in added time to give the hosts the 4-2 win
The Scorchers also had some scoring opportunities in the second half through Asimenye Simwaka and Tabitha Chawinga, but they were both denied the chance by goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi.
Coach Fazili
FAM Media quotes coach Lovemore Fazili as saying Morocco have given his side a good training match and there are a lot of lessons that the team will build on going into the next assignments.
“It was a fair game, and the players played well, especially in the first half where we managed to score two goals, though we also conceded two,” he said.
“In the second half, it was a different game. Our friends scored two goals while we missed a lot of chances. If we scored those chances, the result could have been better.
“However, this was a good training for us, and there are a number of positives that we will take back home with. The chances that we had can turn into goals when properly utilised, and there are some improvements in the performances of some players, which is encouraging.
“During the game, we have noticed that the team had challenges in the midfield where we couldn’t mark the opponents, and we will have to work on this during our trainings,” Fazili said.
The Scorchers First XI last evening
His line up was: Mercy Sikelo (Yamikani Kaonga 63′) in goals, Faith Chimzimu, Rose Kabzere, Asimenye Simwaka, Sabina Thom, Tabitha Chawinga, Vanessa Chikupila (Chisomo Banda 75′), Letticia Chinyamula (Tendai Sani 58′), Ireen Khumalo (Olivia Phikani 75′), Rose Alufandika, Benadetta Mkandawire (Maureen Kenneth 64′).
Meanwhile, FAM reports that following discussions held with her parents on Wednesday, June 18, USA-based Malawi Scorchers’ international prospect, Chioma Okafor has decided to commit her international football career to Nigeria.
Chioma Okafor
Chioma, who was born in Malawi to a Nigerian father and a Malawian mother, has yet to play for a Malawian national team at any level but the University of Connecticut striker was initially called up for international friendlies against Zambia in February.
“However, she was unavailable for selection at the time due to academic commitments,” reports FAM Media. “Subsequently, FAM received official communication from the Nigeria Football Federation indicating Okafor’s commitment to play for the West African nation.
“FAM engaged the parents and the player, who have confirmed her intention and commitment to represent Nigeria.—Content by FAM Media; edited by Maravi Express
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