NBM optimistic about scorchers’ WAFCON qualifier chances

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc, the official sponsor of the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, is confident the Scorchers will deliver a strong performance in their upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against Angola.

The Scorchers are set to host the return leg next Monday, October 27, with hopes high for a historic qualification.

Speaking at the team’s send-off event at Bakili Muluzi International Airport yesterday, NBM’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, expressed the bank’s optimism.

Hiwa praised the team’s dedication and the quality of players in the squad, adding that they were eager to witness a historic moment for Malawi football.

“As the team’s sponsor, we are incredibly excited for the Scorchers and for Malawi. They are carrying the national flag with pride, and we know they have been training hard.

Looking at the quality of the players, we are confident they can achieve great things. If they qualify for the WAFCON finals, it will be a historic first for Malawi, and we are here to support them every step of the way,” Hiwa said.

A win over Angola across both legs will secure Malawi’s automatic qualification for the 2026 WAFCON finals, a significant achievement for the women’s football team on the continental stage.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya also shared his optimism, stating: “We have two important matches against Angola, home and away. We’re starting with the away game. We’ve done everything we can to motivate the players, and within our capacity, we’ve given them more support than ever before, including numerous friendly matches to prepare them.”

The senior women’s football team will face Angola in Luanda on Thursday for the first leg of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers.

However, Malawi’s chances have been impacted by the absence of star forward Temwa Chawinga, who has been ruled out of the match due to an adductor injury. The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) confirmed the news yesterday.

Despite this setback, Scorchers’ head coach, Lovemore Fazili, remains hopeful. He confirmed that several foreign-based players have already joined the squad, including Chimwemwe Madise, Vanessa Chikupila, Tendai Sani, and Chisomo Banda.

Additionally, Malawi football exports Tabitha Chawinga, Rose Kabzere, and Faith Chimzimu are expected to join the team in Angola later today.