Welcomed by coach Lovemore Fazili
* Kadzere — who plays for Montpellier in France — missed the WAfCON Morocco 2026 final the Scorchers lost to Cameroon 0-3 due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards
* From the 12 goals that the Scorchers scored in five matches played at their debut WAfCON, Temwa Chawinga netted five, her sister Tabitha four, Rose Kadzere two and one from Faith Chinzimu
By Duncan Mlanjira
Influencial Scorchers’ midfielder Rose Kadzere has joined the squad ahead of the home leg tie against Zimbabwe at Bingu National Stadium on Friday in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifier.
Kadzere — who plays for Montpellier in France — missed the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) Morocco 2026 final the Scorchers lost to Cameroon 0-3 due to suspension after accumulating two yellow cards.
From the 12 goals that the Scorchers scored in five matches played at their debut WAfCON, Temwa Chawinga netted five, her sister Tabitha four, Rose Kadzere two and one from Faith Chinzimu.
However, Sweden-based Faith Chinzimu will miss the match through injury but could return for the second leg, as reported FAM Media.
A first feel of Bingu National Stadium for US-based Temwa Chawinga, which will mark her first-ever match there on Friday
Meanwhile, FAM Media reports that a group of Malawians living in the US, some of whom support Temwa’s games for Kansas City Current, have handed over K15.9 million to the Scorchers in appreciation of their impressive performance at the WAfCON.
“The group brings together Scorchers supporters living in the USA through a WhatsApp platform and has previously supported the team in recognition of its achievements,” reports FAM Media.
“The supporters also rewarded the Scorchers following their COSAFA Women’s Championship success in 2024.”
The group spokesperson Tonny Chirwa, is quoted saying this latest gesture was inspired by the pride the team’s achievements have brought to Malawians living abroad.
“We are ardent football enthusiasts and we felt so proud of the Scorchers’ achievements at WAfCON. We felt we should come in and celebrate with them,” he is quoted as saying.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Communications Officer Collins Nsunza applauded the group for recognising the efforts and sacrifices of the players and technical panel.
“We are grateful to the Scorchers supporters in the USA for this wonderful gesture,” he said. “It demonstrates how the achievements of the team have united and inspired Malawians even beyond our borders.
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“Such support means a lot to the players and technical panel because it shows that their hard work and sacrifices are being recognised.
“We encourage other individuals, groups and corporate partners to continue supporting the Scorchers as we build on the WAfCON performance and prepare for future international assignments.”
The US fans have joined Airtel Malawi in boosting the Scorchers’ morale ahead of Friday’s match by rewarding them Airtel 5G Outdoor Unit (ODU) routers and one year of free unlimited 20Mbps internet — in recognition of their outstanding achievement as WAfCON 2026 runners-up and for qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027.
Airtel Malawi’s Head Public Relations and CSR, Steve Kapoloma handing over the reward on Wednesday at Silver Stadium
