The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, have departed for Casablanca, Morocco, ahead of their international friendly match against the Atlas Lionesses scheduled for Thursday, 19th June 2025.
Over the past week, the team held an intensive training camp at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe, Blantyre, as part of their preparations for the high-profile encounter. The match against Morocco will be the Scorchers’ fifth friendly as they continue to fine-tune their squad ahead of the final qualifying round for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they will face Angola in October.
So far, the team has played two friendlies against Zambia and two against South Africa, gaining crucial match fitness and tactical experience.
Head Coach Lovemore Fazili has travelled with a full 24-player squad, including five foreign-based stars: captain Tabitha Chawinga, Rose Kabzere, Sabina Thom, and Vanessa Mkandawire. Fazili believes the friendly against Morocco will be an important test of the team’s readiness and a key part of their WAFCON qualification campaign.
The following is the travelling squad:
GOALKEPEERS
Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), and Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies)
DEFENDERS
Benadetta Mkandawire (Biik Kazygurt), Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy), Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy), Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies), Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa Women)
MIDFIELDERS
Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy), Faith Chimzimu (Ascent Academy), Tendai Sani (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Jessie Yosefe (Civo Service Women), Rose Kabzere (Montpellier) Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa Women), Victoria Mkwala (Ascent Academy)
ATTACKERS
Vanessa Chikupila (Biik Kazygurt), Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies), Tabitha Chawinga (Ol Lyonnes), Sabina Thom (Lanchkhuti), Fatima Lali (Ascent Academy)