Malawi to invite foreign-based players for COSAFA Women’s Championship

Fazili targets COSAFA tournament and additional friendlies as part of Malawi’s WAFCON preparations.

Bobby Kabango Published January 28, 2026

3 Min Read

Malawi Women’s National Team head coach Lovemore Fazili has outlined preparations for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, scheduled to take place in Morocco.

The Scorchers will face defending champions Nigeria, Egypt, and Zambia at the continental showpiece, which runs from March 18 to April 3.

Fazili said Malawi will use this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship as part of their build-up to the WAFCON finals, adding that he intends to invite some professional players [foreign-based] for the regional tournament. The COSAFA games will be staged in Polokwane, South Africa, from February 18 to March 1.

He also revealed that new faces will be introduced into the squad preparing for COSAFA, with the focus on strengthening the defence and goalkeeping departments.

“We will be in camp in early February. We will take more local players; I hope we will also add some players we have observed from National league,” said Fazili, adding: “We are not changing the team, we will not bring new players, we will still bank on the same team, but will need to see some new talents, as we want to reinforce the defence. This does not mean the players we have are bad defenders, but we need to add some also the goalkeeping, will add two more keepers to add more power.”

Malawi two more friendlies in Morocco

Fazili said the squad, which he expects to release soon, will include professionals based in Africa, while those playing in Europe will also be considered if available.

“I am doing this because the goal is not on Cosafa, we are playing to prepare for Wafcon. After the Cosafa games, we will not go back to our homes, we will still be in camp. Before going to Morocco or while in Morocco, we will have two more friendlies with teams from the North, but we need to play with teams we have never faced,” he said.

Fazili further disclosed that the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has assured the team that funding will be available to support all planned activities.