Football fans in the country will turn their attention to South Africa, where the Malawi national women’s football team, the Scorchers, are facing the hosts, South Africa, in the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The match is scheduled for 3:00 PM this afternoon, 18 February, at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Malawi is competing in the tournament without some key players for various reasons, including Faith Chinzimu, Rose Kadzere, Sabina Thom, Asimenye Simwaka, as well as sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, who announced that they will no longer participate in the COSAFA tournament in order to give other players an opportunity to showcase their talent.

This means the team will rely on players such as Vanessa Chikupira, Deborah Henry, Mary Chavinda, and others.

Scorchers head coach Lovemore Fazili has told his players that they need to score an early goal and defend well.

Speaking to Timveni, football analyst Onesta Nguluwe said the time has come for players who usually remain on the bench to prove that they too can be relied upon.

“These are tests not only for coach Lovemore Fazili but also for the players. It is time for them to show that they can perform well and demonstrate commitment in their play,” said Nguluwe.

Malawi won the COSAFA title in 2023 and finished as runners-up in 2021.

Meanwhile, South Africa is the most successful team in the history of the COSAFA Women’s Championship, having won the trophy seven times (2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020).

They have also finished as runners-up three times (2011, 2022, and 2024).

The two teams are considered the strongest sides in Group A as they prepare to participate in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), alongside Angola and Lesotho. Malawi will also face Lesotho on 21 February at 12:00 noon before playing their final Group A match against Angola on Tuesday, 24 February