Rachael Kaphaizi

Malawi National Women’s Football Team coach Lovemore Fazili says the Scorchers have expanded their options ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite a 4-0 defeat to Ghana in their final warm-up match on Tuesday in Morocco.

The Black Queens triumphed with a Doris Boaduwaa hat-trick and a late goal from Sharon Esinam Sampson. Fazili used the match to make several changes to his starting lineup, assessing different combinations ahead of Malawi’s tournament opener against Nigeria.

The Scorchers created several first-half scoring opportunities through Temwa Chawinga and Tendai Sani but failed to convert them. Several players, including goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga, Olivia Phikani, Chisomo Banda, and Tendai Sani, were given a chance to impress.

Fazili emphasised that experimenting with the squad was the main objective of the friendly.

“It was not as good a game as the one we played against Morocco. Today, we made a lot of changes, benching some regulars and bringing in players who hadn’t yet had a chance to play. We were trying to find new combinations with these players.”

The coach admitted his side must improve their finishing before the tournament begins but remains confident the team will be ready.

“We had scoring opportunities but couldn’t convert them. We’ll go back to the drawing board to find solutions. I’m confident that once the tournament starts, the team will be in good shape and the goals will come.”

The Scorchers now shift their focus to their historic WAFCON debut, opening their Group C campaign against Nigeria on 28 July.