Scorchers Head Coach Lovemore Fazili, who has named a strong 27-member squad to face Lesotho in two international friendly matches scheduled for 29th and 31st August 2025 at Mpira Stadium, Blantyre, says he is optimistic that his team will do well at the weekend agaist the visitors.
“We are ready,” said the Scorchers gaffer, Fazili.
The squad is predominantly local based as the matches falls outside the FIFA window and this means that the likes of the France and America based Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa respectively wont be part of the friendlies.
The squad sees the inclusion of Faluna Umali from Mighty Wanderers Queens, who recently impressed at the COSAFA U17 Girls Championship in Namibia, winning two Player of the Match awards.
Fazili said Umali’s addition highlights the team’s focus on nurturing young talent as the Scorchers intensify preparations for the upcoming WAFCON qualifiers against Angola in October.
Fazili said: “These games are very important as it will give us a picture of how the team is shaping up.”
Added the former Flames and Silver Strikers goal-scoring machine: “We have a lot of good players who needs to be tried and tested for the tasks ahead and this is the chance for them to prove their ability
“But at the same time it will help us build a team for competitive games ahead.”
Notably, the Scorchers will be without players from Kukoma Ntopwa Women, as the club is representing Malawi at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 22–31 August 2025.
Below is the full squad:
GOALKEEPERS
Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness) Thoko Mwase (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies)
DEFENDERS
Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers Queens) Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer) Maggie Chavula (Asent Soccer) Doreen Dickson (MDF Lioness) Benadetta Mkandawire (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Justina Jumbo (SSFC Ladies) Trizza Chiwere (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Emily Gama (Civil Service Utd Women) Ireen Khumalo (SSFC Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS
Letticia Chinyamula (Ascent Soccer) Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens) Zainab Kapanda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness) Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Utd Women) Hope Chikunga (Ekhaya) Enelles Fabiano (Mzuzu City Hammers) Sharon Dzimau (FCB NBB Women) Faluna Umali (Mighty Wanderers Queens)
FORWARDS
Catherine Kachala (MDF Lioness) Fatima Lali (Ascent Soccer) Shamila Mponda (SSFC Ladies) Sabina Thom (Unattached) Mary Chavinda (FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women) Yamikani Mkandawire (Ascent Soccer)
” This is the chance for our players to prove their ability, but at the same time it will help us build a team for competitive games ahead.”
Lovemore Fazili
Malawi Women National team Head Coach
