By Wa Ganyu

When Faith Chinzimu walked onto the pitch for Malawi’s WAFCON quarter-final against Ghana, she carried something invisible to those in the stands: a faith that anchored her in every moment.

Tucked inside her shirt was a prayer that meant more than words on a page. It was a lifeline to the God she trusts, a personal reminder that her strength comes not from herself, but from above, as she stepped onto the pitch for one of the biggest matches of her young career.

Malawi had arrived at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as outsiders.

Their ranking hardly suggested a deep run. Then came the draw, placing the Scorchers in what many had called a “group of death”.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed, Malawi rose to the occasion. Their most dramatic moment came against Nigeria, 10-time winners, defending champions and tournament favourites. Malawi stunned the continent with a 3-2 victory and some beautiful attacking football.

Against Egypt, Faith Chinzimu’s opening goal in the first half saw her shifted to defence after Rose Alfandika was shown red for a foul. Faith sat at the heart of the makeshift defence to see off Egypt in a 3-1 victory, with a steady performance that endeared her to the fans.

Despite losing to neighbours Zambia’s Copper Queens, the Scorchers held on and went on to top the group, earning every achievement through effort and determination.

But their quarter-final opponents were Ghana, a side that had already demonstrated how difficult the challenge would be. In a pre-tournament friendly, Ghana had beaten the Scorchers 4-0.

This time, Malawi fought bravely and ultimately beat Ghana 2 -1 in a closely contested match that cemented an unforgettable WAFCON journey and saw them qualify for the semi-finals and book their place at the Brazil 2027 World Cup.

For Faith, that match revealed a side many football fans have fallen in love with: her unwavering faith in God. Before stepping into the contest, she had something personal to hold onto—her relationship with her Creator.

Her prayer began: “Give me courage. Give me wisdom. Calm my heart and clear my mind.”

For a midfielder, those qualities are vital.

The position demands constant decisions under pressure: when to press, when to challenge, when to pass, when to carry the ball, and when to create an opening for a teammate.

Faith’s prayer asked for clarity in those moments. It also asked for something every footballer needs over the course of a demanding tournament: strength.

“When I am tired, renew my strength.”

The words reflected the physical and mental demands of the occasion, while another line addressed the inevitable nerves that accompany a major knockout match:

Faith was not asking for an easy game. She was lifting her heart to God, asking for the courage to face whatever the game brought, trusting that He would be with her in every challenge.

She prayed for protection for herself and her teammates, for confidence under pressure, for discipline and for the resilience to keep fighting for every ball. Her faith was not just for herself; she interceded for her teammates, believing that God watches over all who trust in Him. As they celebrated the victory at the final whistle, Faith shared parts of her prayer with General Gilbert Mitawa, a member of the delegation at the tournament who was moved.

For him, those words carried a significance beyond the individual player. They mirrored the mentality that had taken Malawi from tournament outsiders to group winners.

They had entered the competition with little expectation placed upon them. They had then navigated one of the tournament’s toughest groups and emerged at the top.

Faith, who won the Europa Champions League in her debut season with FC Swedish club BK Häcken in 2025, became a full international at the age of 16, thanks to her athleticism, technical tools and growth mindset that is now serving her well for her country.

Her prayer included verses from Scripture that reinforced the message she wanted to carry onto the pitch.

From Philippians 4:13 came the declaration: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

For Faith, those words were a source of confidence before the battle, a reminder that with God, she was never alone and never without hope.

Give me courage.
Give me wisdom.
Calm my heart and clear my mind.
Help me trust my teammates and give my very best.
Protect me and my teammates from injuries.
When I am tired, renew my strength.
When I am afraid, remind me that you are with me.
Guide my feet, my decisions and my actions.
Let me play with confidence, discipline and courage.
When the pressure is high, give me peace.
When the game becomes tough, give me resilience.
Give me strength to fight for every ball, support one another and to play with courage, humility and determination.
Lord, go before me, be my strength and my protector, and give me confidence throughout the game. Amen!!!

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Deuteronomy 9:3
But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them, as the Lord has promised you. Amen!!!