Malawi National Women’s Football Team Given Official Send-Off by NBM Ahead of WAFCON 2026
NBM plc joined Malawi in a warm send-off for the Malawi National Women’s Football Team at KIA as the Scorchers fly to Morocco for the 2026 WAFCON next month.
The Malawi National Women’s Football Team received a formal farewell at Kamuzu International Airport on Tuesday as they departed for Morocco to contest the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The ceremony, led by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc alongside government and football officials, marked a celebratory send-off for the Scorchers as they prepare for their maiden appearance at Africa’s premier women’s competition.
NBM Gives Official Send-Off at Kamuzu International Airport
NBM plc representatives joined fans and dignitaries at the airport to see the team off, underscoring the private sector’s growing support for women’s football in Malawi.
Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at NBM, said the bank’s involvement is part of a broader commitment to nurture emerging talent and back the national squad in major tournaments.
Mphepo-Hiwa framed the sponsorship as an investment in the players’ potential and in the future of women’s sport in the country.
She extended the bank’s best wishes for a safe journey and expressed confidence that the squad will represent Malawi with pride on the continental stage.
Historic Qualification After Angola Decider
Malawi earned their first-ever place at WAFCON after overcoming Angola in the qualifiers, a milestone that has shifted expectations for the national program.
The victory in qualifying not only secured tournament entry but also galvanized interest at home, prompting sectors across Malawi to rally behind the Scorchers.
That breakthrough comes after years of investment in domestic development and a steady rise in the standard of women’s football nationally.
The qualification is being treated as both a reward for recent progress and a catalyst for further growth across youth systems and league competition.
Squad Composition and Players to Watch
The travelling squad blends experienced internationals and emerging talent, led in attack by sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, two of the nation’s most recognisable players.
Other notable names include striker Deborah Henry, goalkeepers Mercy Sikelo and Esther Maulidi, and midfielder Faith Chimzimu, all expected to play significant roles in Malawi’s group-stage campaign.
Coaching staff have emphasized versatility and work-rate, with several players capable of occupying multiple positions as the team adapts to stronger continental opposition.
Expectations will focus on the Chawinga sisters for goal threats while defensive cohesion and distribution from midfield will determine how competitive Malawi can be against seasoned WAFCON teams.
Coach Fazili Outlines Tactical Readiness and Goals
Head Coach Lovemore Fazili told journalists at the send-off that his squad is both mentally and physically prepared for the tournament challenge.
Fazili emphasized the team’s ambition to compete in every match, stressing that the primary goal is to perform with dignity and deliver their best on the pitch.
He credited recent preparation camps and friendlies for sharpening the players and praised stakeholders, including NBM, for supporting the team’s build-up.
Fazili also underlined the importance of using the tournament experience to accelerate player development and raise standards upon return.
Group C Opener Against Nigeria and Tournament Roadmap
Malawi have been drawn into Group C and will open their WAFCON campaign against Nigeria on July 28, a fixture that represents a significant test against one of Africa’s traditional powers.
Beyond the opener, the Scorchers will face two further group opponents as they seek to establish themselves and aim for a possible upset as debutants in the competition.
Analysts say the match against Nigeria will reveal the immediate gap in experience and technical depth, but also offer opportunities for the Scorchers to showcase resilience and tactical discipline.
Performance in the group stage will be judged not only by results but by competitive minutes, defensive organisation, and the capacity to create clear scoring chances against top-tier opposition.
Private Sector Backing and Long-Term Impact on Women’s Football
NBM’s public endorsement and sponsorship signal a growing trend of corporate investment in women’s sport across Malawi, offering more than short-term visibility.
Officials at the bank described their support as part of a strategic push to invest in talent pipelines, grassroots programs, and infrastructure that can sustain long-term competitiveness.
Stakeholder input, from private companies to the Football Association, is being positioned as critical to converting the Scorchers’ WAFCON experience into lasting gains for the domestic game.
If sustained, that investment could translate into improved league structures, coaching education, and expanded scouting networks that secure Malawi’s place among emerging women’s football nations.
The Scorchers depart with a mixture of expectation and opportunity as Malawi prepares to witness its first appearance on the WAFCON stage.
Backed by NBM and buoyed by historic qualification, the squad will aim to compete with resolve in Morocco and lay the groundwork for a deeper, more competitive future in women’s football.
