Malawi’s Scorchers will be missing several key players ahead of the 2024 Cosafa Women’s Championship, including the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, who have withdrawn from the tournament.
The tournament is scheduled for October 22nd to November 6th, 2024, in Gqeberha, South Africa.
Coach Lovemore Fazili had initially called all his star players for the tournament and stated unequivocally that he wanted to defend his title, which he won last year.
However, his final 23-member roster is missing seven professionals, including Temwa and Tabitha, who play for Kansas City Current and Lyon, respectively.
Fazili’s squad consists of only three foreign-based players: Vannesa Chikupila, who plays for the Green Buffaloes in Zambia; Mary Chavinda, who plays for Rayon in Rwanda; and Sabina Thom, who plays for TP Mazembe in the DRC.
He has not explained why the seven professionals are missing from his final squad after being recalled to join the camp on October 10.
FAM official explains Chawinga sisters exclusion from squad
A top official from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has told BolaNews that the Chawinga sisters have declined to participate in this year’s tournament.
“The coach had included them since this year’s Cosafa will be played on the FIFA calendar but the Chawinga sisters have refused to take part,” the source disclosed. “It is not clear but our effort has failed. It is the same case with other professionals; they are not responding to our calls.”
When asked for a comment, Tabitha referred this reporter to her manager, Theana Msolomba, who stated that it would be inaccurate to say that the Chawinga sisters refused to participate.
“Temwa has a game on October 26, meaning she could only play for a game or two for Malawi at Cosafa before flying back, which would be tricky.
“For Tabitha, she has a game on the 28th and an air ticket was given yesterday which was also difficult because she had a game yesterday night.
“Fact of the matter, these two players are committed to playing for the national team,” Msolomba added.
Temwa scored nine goals at the Cosafa last year, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and helping Malawi win the trophy for the first time. Tabitha, on the other hand, was unable to take part in the tournament due to club commitments.
