Malawi women’s national team coach Lovemore Fazili is not qualified to lead the Scorchers at their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup next year, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya has confirmed.
Fazili has been the Scorchers’ head coach since August 2022, guiding the team to a historic runners-up finish at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they lost to Cameroon. He also led Malawi to qualification for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup and their maiden COSAFA Women’s Championship title.
However, it has emerged that Fazili does not currently hold the CAF A coaching licence required to serve as head coach at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. According to FAM, he remained in charge of the Scorchers during WAFCON because he had an existing contract with the national team.
Haiya has assured Fazili that he will remain part of the Scorchers’ technical panel at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Fazili to upgrade coaching badges
The FAM president said the Association had already identified Fazili as one of the coaches who would attend the upcoming CAF A Licence coaching course, which CAF has authorised FAM to conduct locally in November or December.
“Coach Fazili is among the coaches earmarked for this course. However, by the time he will be undertaking his CAF A coaching course, the list of coaches who are supposed to lead the Scorchers at the World Cup will have already been submitted,” said Haiya.
He explained that the timing of the course and the deadline for submitting the World Cup technical panel could prevent Fazili from serving as head coach, even if he successfully completes the training.
“Therefore, it will be difficult for Lovemore Fazili to lead the Scorchers at the World Cup because, even if he passes, the names are required before the CAF A examination results are released,” he said.
Haiya, however, emphasised that Fazili’s contribution to the Scorchers’ success could not be overlooked, assuring him of a place on the technical panel in recognition of his achievements.
