* Joining first choice Mercy Sikelo (Ntopwa United) and regulars Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens) and Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lionesses)
* In the provisional 28-member squad to prepare for Zimbabwe in the second round of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifiers in October
* Rumphi Sisters have lost both their two games in their NBM Women’s Premiership — conceding six goals with five in loss to veterans Ascent Soccer
By Duncan Mlanjira
Having assessed the probable exceptional qualities in NBM Women’s Premiership debutants Rumphi Sisters’ goalkeeper, Jane Nyirenda, coach Lovemore Fazili has called her into Malawi Scorchers squad to prepare for Zimbabwe in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifiers in October.
Rumphi Sisters are rookies of the women’s top flight league having qualified as champions of the Northern Region and have so far lost their two matches.
Rumphi Sisters
They first lost 0-1 to fellow debutants, FACT Ladies in their opening match of the top flight campaign before a 1-5 baptism of fire to veterans Ascent Soccer.
Their next assignment, in which all eyes will be on goalkeeper Nyirenda, is against another veteran side in the country’s women’s football, Ntopwa United to be played on Thursday at Rumphi Stadium.
She joins the regular Scorchers shot stoppers — first choice Mercy Sikelo of Ntopwa United, Mighty Wanderers Queens Esther Maulidi and MDF Lionesses’ Yamikani Kaonga.
None other of her teammates made it into Fazili’s provisional squad, who has largely retained the core of the squad that clinched the silver medal at their debut appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026 in Morocco.
Also earning a maiden Scorchers call-up is midfielder Asante Khamula of Washington Adventist University, who joins in the middle of the pack Rose Kadzere of Montpellier, France), Faith Chimzimu (BK Häcken, Sweden), Tendai Sani (ZISD, Zambia), Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer), Chikondi Gondwe & Madyina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers Ladies) and Lyna James (Nyasa Big Bullets Women).
Defenders are Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Rose Alufandika & Olivia Phikani (Ntopwa Sisters), Tionge Phiri & Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Maggie Chavula & Talandira Chinyamvula (Ascent Soccer), Patricia Nyirenda (MDF Lionesses), and Benadetta Mkandawire (Nyasa Big Bullets Women).
Forwards are captain Tabitha Chawinga (OL Lyonnais, France), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Cirrent, USA), Chisomo Banda (Kokola Blades, Zambia), Sarah Mlimbika (Green Buffaloes, Zambia), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Mayamiko Mkandawire (Ascent Soccer) and Vanessa Chikupila, who is unattached but she is formerly of Ntopwa FC; Green Buffaloes, Zambia, FC BIIK-Kazygurt, Kazakhstan & Palm Hills Sports Club, Egypt).
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The Scorchers will host Zimbabwe in the first leg on October 9 before travelling for the return leg to be held on October 13, whose winner will progress to the next round.
The round’s opponents will be the second round winners between Kenya and Seychelles in February next year.
There are 32 teams in the second round from which 16 teams will qualify to the third round to compete from eight teams will go to round four.
The final four nations will compete in the last round to determine two teams to represent Africa in Los Angeles for the Olympic Games.
FAM Media reported that the Scorchers will begin preparations for the two matches in Lilongwe on Friday and after their fairytale at the WAfCON, much more is expected to bulldoze Zimbabwe aside.
The Scorchers milestone started in October 2025 by the historic first-ever qualification to the WAfCON where they achieved a further milestone of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2027 after reaching the semifinals.
They further defied all odds by reaching the final where they lost 0-3 to African women football giants Cameroon to settle for the silver medal.
