Scorchers Name 27-Member Squad for International Friendlies Against Lesotho, With Focus on Young Talent and Absence of Key Players
Malawi's national women's football team, the Scorchers, have announced a 27-member squad for two upcoming international friendly matches against Lesotho, to be held on 29th and 31st August 2025 at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.
The squad is predominantly local-based, as the matches fall outside the FIFA window. Lovemore Fazili, the Scorchers head coach, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to test the team against international competition, saying, "These matches will give us valuable experience ahead of the WAFCON qualifiers against Angola in October."
One new addition to the squad is Faluna Umali from Mighty Wanderers Queens. Umali, a young midfielder, recently impressed at the COSAFA U17 Girls Championship in Namibia, where she won two Player of the Match awards. Fazili highlighted her potential, stating, "We are always looking to identify and develop young talent, and Faluna is a prime example of a player with a bright future ahead of her."
Unfortunately, the Scorchers will be without several key players due to club commitments. Notably, the entire squad from Kukoma Ntopwa Women will be unavailable as they are representing Malawi at the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the same period.
The full squad includes goalkeepers Yamikani Kaonga and Thoko Mwase, defenders Shilla Mangani, Maureen Kenneth, Maggie Chavula, Doreen Dickson, Benadetta Mkandawire, Justina Jumbo, Trizza Chiwere, Emily Gama, and Ireen Khumalo. Midfielders Letticia Chinyamula, Funny Moyo, Zainab Kapanda, Asimenye Simwaka, Jessie Yosefe, Hope Chikunga, Enelles Fabiano, and Sharon Dzimau are also part of the squad, as are forwards Catherine Kachala, Fatima Lali, Shamila Mponda, Sabina Thom, and Mary Chavinda.
Fazili emphasized the importance of these friendlies, stating, "These matches will give us a chance to assess our team's readiness for the WAFCON qualifiers, as well as provide valuable game time for our players. We are focused on continuing our preparations and maintaining a strong team spirit."
The upcoming friendly matches against Lesotho are a crucial part of the Scorchers' build-up to the WAFCON qualifiers, providing an opportunity to test their strategies and tactics against international competition. With a strong focus on young talent and the absence of key players due to club commitments, the team will need to adapt and perform at a high level to secure positive results.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Scorchers' preparations and their journey towards the WAFCON qualifiers against Angola in October.
For more information on Malawian football and the Scorchers, visit Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ScorchersWomen.
Summary: Malawi's Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili has named a 27-member squad for two international friendly matches against Lesotho in August 2025. The squad is predominantly local based and includes several new players, including Faluna Umali from Mighty Wanderers Queens, who impressed at the COSAFA U17 Girls Championship in Namibia. The Scorchers will be without players from Kukoma Ntopwa Women, who are representing Malawi at the CAF Women's Champions League and COSAFA Qualifiers in South Africa. The full squad includes goalkeepers Yamikani Kaonga and Thoko Mwase, defenders Shilla Mangani and Maggie Chavula, midfielders Letticia Chinyamula and Jessie Yosefe, and forwards Catherine Kachala and Mary Chavinda.
