Last October 15, the Scorchers of Malawi defeated Zambia 2-1 to win the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship. They won the competition, which had no prize money for the first time in their history.
The players were entitled to match bonuses from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), but they have yet to receive any.
Sources close to the players told BolaNews that each player is owed about MK1 million (around $594.73)
The Malawi Men’s team has also yet to be paid match bonuses for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Liberia and Tunisia, which took place on November 17 and 21, respectively.
Another source has revealed that the Flames are owed MK600,000 each.
“The players asked them and they promised that before the end of January, they would receive their bonuses,” revealed the source.
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In a statement seen by BolaNews, FAM says it is indeed owing players and officials an amount of MK800 million.
The association further disclosed that it resolved to settle all debts once it got funding from the Malawi government.
“We have resolved to settle all verified arrears as of 31.12.23, amounting to MK 800 million,” read part of the statement.
“The priority in payment being Scorchers COSAFA Cup allowances, Flames CAF and World Cup Qualifiers allowances, staff arrears, 2023 FAM district leagues, 2023 FAM women’s regional leagues, 2023 beach soccer Leagues and FAM Moto Division One Leagues.”
It is not yet known when they will be funded by the government.