Scorchers off to Casablanca for FIFA window of international friendly against Morocco’ Atlas Lionesses

* Being one of the strong teams in Africa, the friendly match against Morocco is going to give our players confidence as we prepare for Angola in October

* We have worked on our defense and goalkeeping which had some weaknesses in the previous encounter against South Africa and Zambia and we hope to do better in Casablanca

Maravi Express

Malawi Scorchers have left for Casablanca, Morocco through Chileka International Airport via OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, this morning for FIFA window of international friendly against Atlas Lionesses to be played on Thursday, June 19.

This will be the fifth FIFA calendar open window for international matches for Malawi Scorchers this year after four — two each against Zambia and South Africa in February and April.

A report by FAM Media, Fam.mw indicates that head coach, Lovemore Fazili has travelled with all the 24 players he called into camp last week, including five foreign-based; Tabitha Chawinga (Olympique Lyon/France), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier/France), Sabina Thom (Lanchkhuti/Georgia), and Vanessa Chikupira & Bernadettar Mkandawire (both Biik Kazygurt/Kazakhstan).

Fazili, whose team lost 0-1 against Zambia in Lusaka in the first match and won 3-2 in the second before losing both in South Africa — 0-3 in first friendly and 1-2 in the second — believes the friendly match will strengthen the team ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026 qualifying match against Angola in October.

“We had a wonderful week of training camp at Mpira Village,” he is quoted as saying by FAM Media. “There were some players who had knocks [whom] the doctors took care of them, and everyone is now fit and ready for the journey.

“Being one of the strong teams in Africa, the friendly match against Morocco is going to give our players confidence as we prepare for Angola in October.

“We have worked on our defense and goalkeeping which had some weaknesses in the previous encounter against South Africa and Zambia and we hope to do better in Casablanca”, Fazili is quoted as saying.

Missing in the squad is US-based forward, Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Currents/USA) and defender Chimwemwe Madise as they have engagements with their respective clubs during the period.

Fazili’s squad is dominated by six domestic league players from the country’s most successful football academy, Ascent Soccer — two defenders, Maureen Kenneth & Maggie Chavula; three midfielders, Leticia Chinyamula, Faith Chimzimu & Victoria Mkwala and attacker, Fatima Lali.

Kukoma Ntopwa Women has contributed four — goalkeeper, Mercy Sikelo; defenders, Rose Alufandika & Olivia Phikani and midfielder, Funny Magombo; while Silver Strikers Ladies also have four — goalkeeper, Ireen Sibande; defenders, Ireen Khumalo & Justina Jumbo and attacker, Chisomo Banda.

The others are from Nyasa Big Bullets Women (midfielders, Tendai Sani & Zainab Kapanda) and MDF Lionesses (goalkeeper, Yamikani Kaonga).

France-based Rose Kabzere — a product of Ascent Soccer — joined the team last Tuesday while captain Tabitha Chawinga arrived for camp at Mpira Palace on Friday while Vanessa Chikupira and Bernadetta Mkandawire expected to travel straight to Morocco from Kazakhstan.