By Suleman Chitera, Lilongwe, Malawi

The Malawi Women’s National Football Team, popularly known as the Scorchers, departed for Casablanca, Morocco, this morning ahead of an international friendly match against the Atlas Lionesses scheduled for Thursday, June 19.

Head Coach Lovemore Fazili described the match as a vital opportunity to build team chemistry and gain competitive experience in preparation for the upcoming African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers against Angola in October.

“Morocco is one of the strongest teams on the continent. Playing against them will not only sharpen our tactical approach but also help the players understand how to work better as a unit,” Fazili said.

He further noted that the technical panel has placed significant focus on improving the team’s defense and goalkeeping, areas that showed vulnerability in previous encounters with South Africa and Zambia.

“We’ve worked hard to address our past weaknesses. This match is part of our strategic plan to test our progress in a competitive setting,” he added.

Despite a few minor injuries in camp, the team wrapped up a successful training session at Mpira Village. The medical team has cleared all players as fit for the trip.

The Scorchers will travel with a 24-player squad, including five foreign-based stars: Tabitha Chawinga, Rose Kabzere, Sabina Thom, Vanessa Chikupira, and Bernadettar Mkandawire.

The match in Casablanca is expected to provide a tough test for the Scorchers and a valuable benchmark as they gear up for a crucial qualifying campaign later this year.