Chikondi Magalasi
Malawi National Women’s Football team head coach, Lovemore Fazili, says his eyes are set on reaching the 2026 Cofasa championship final, scheduled for 18 February to 1st March in South Africa.
Speaking during a media briefing at Mpira Village on Friday morning, when he unveiled his 32-member provisional squad, Fazili said the Scorchers are going there to compete and that new faces have been brought in to see how ready they are if they are to be picked for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between March and April, this year.
“There are a few new players in the squad. We are going to compete to reach the final stage, and also to give a chance to our new players to prepare themselves if they are going to be picked for the WAFCON tournament,” he said.
Among his 32-member squad, there are seven goalkeepers. When asked why all seven, he said he would like to enhance competition.
Fazili has also included Silver Strikers ladies forward Deborah Henry, who is the top goal scorer from the NBM Women’s Premiership, alongside four foreign-based players.
The called squad to join camp on February 4th is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS
Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa),Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Martha Mbewe (Civil Service Women), Jane Nyirenda (Topik), Bridget Malemia (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Esther Maulidi (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
DEFENDERS
Chimwemwe Madise (TP Mazembe), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer Academy), Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness), Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women)
Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers ladies), Gladys Joseph (Civil Service Women), Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens), Tionge Phiri (Silver Strikers ladies), Alinafe Majora (Ascent Soccer Academy).
MIDFIELDERS
Madina Nguluwe (Silver Strikers ladies), Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Women), Asimenye Simwaka (Free Agent / MDF Lioness), Lyna James (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets)
Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness)
FORWARDS
Debora Henry (Silver Strikers ladies), Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Chikondi Gondwe (Silver Strikers ladies), Sabina Thom (Phoenix Football Feminin Marrakech), Vanessa Chipikula (Palm Hills Women’s FC), Tendai Sani (Zisd),Chisomo Banda (Konkola Blades Queens)
