Rachael Kaphaizi
Malawi’s national women’s football team, the Scorchers, have turned their attention to Kenya after defeating Zimbabwe 9-0 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualifiers.
The Scorchers sealed their progress with a 7-0 win in Tuesday’s second leg in Harare, having won the first leg 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium last Friday. They will face Kenya in February 2027.
Temwa Chawinga scored a hat-trick, finding the net in the 10th, 30th and 56th minutes. Tabitha Chawinga, Chisomo Banda, Asimenye Simwaka and Sarah Mulimbika also scored.
Kenya have made an emphatic start to their campaign, thrashing Seychelles 11-0 in each leg to advance with a 22-0 aggregate victory.
Although Kenya did not impress at the most recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), they have reached the continental tournament twice, first qualifying in 2016. That experience makes them a formidable test for Fazili’s Scorchers.
Malawi will need to sharpen their defensive organisation against the Harambee Starlets, while maintaining discipline in transition and composure in midfield. The return to fitness of FC Haken’s Faith Chinzimu could strengthen the Scorchers in the middle of the park.
Kenya coach Godfrey Solo Oduor said he had a strong pool of players competing for places.
“We have a good pool of players, so we are trying to see who can give us what we want,” said Oduor after his side thrashed Seychelles.
However, Scorchers coach Lovemore Fazili has warned sides not to underestimate his Scorchers, who he believes continue to grow their game.
“They should expect us to be tough, not as simple as they think,” said Fazili.
The February tie will renew a rivalry that last produced two meetings in 2019. Kenya won one 3-0, while Malawi claimed a 3-2 victory in the other.
Malawi go into the next round having won four of their last five matches. Their recent run includes victories over Ghana and Algeria at the 2026 WAFCON, followed by the two wins against Zimbabwe.
Only two African women’s teams will qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The Confederation of African Football is running a 35-team tournament across five knockout rounds. Sixteen teams have progressed so far, including Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Angola, among the teams representing the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations.
The final two teams standing after the fifth round, scheduled for late 2027, will secure Africa’s places at the Olympics.
