By Suleman Chitera

Former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has praised the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, for their historic 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign, saying the team has put Malawi firmly on the global football map.

Nyamilandu described the Scorchers’ remarkable journey as a source of pride, joy and unity for Malawians, despite the team eventually finishing as runners-up after a 3-0 defeat to Cameroon in the final.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, Nyamilandu congratulated the players for what he called a gallant fight throughout the tournament, saying their performances had awakened a “sleeping giant” in Malawian women’s football.

He said the team’s campaign had not only captured international attention but had also given Malawians a renewed belief that major football dreams can become reality.

The Scorchers produced one of the most memorable campaigns in the history of Malawian football, reaching the WAFCON final for the first time after a commanding 3-1 victory over Algeria in the semi-final.

Their run also secured Malawi’s maiden qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, giving the country another historic milestone to celebrate despite the disappointment of losing the continental final.

Nyamilandu praises women’s football potential

Nyamilandu further used the historic achievement to highlight the enormous potential of Malawian women in sport.

He said the Scorchers had demonstrated what female athletes can achieve when talent is matched with proper support, opportunity and belief.

The former FAM president, who is now a Member of Parliament, said the players deserve recognition for inspiring an entire nation and proving that Malawi can compete at the highest level of African women’s football.

The Scorchers’ campaign has also generated widespread national pride, with their performances bringing Malawians together behind a common cause and creating renewed interest in women’s football.

Special tribute to late David Dube

Nyamilandu also paid special tribute to the late David Dube, whom he described as a pioneer of women’s football in Malawi.

Dube played an important role in nurturing the careers of sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga during their formative years, helping to develop talent that would eventually reach the highest levels of the international game.

The Chawinga sisters have since become among the most recognisable names in African women’s football, with their success serving as an example of the talent that exists in Malawi.

For Nyamilandu, the Scorchers’ historic campaign is therefore not only about the players who took part in the 2026 WAFCON but also about the coaches, administrators, mentors and football pioneers who helped build the foundations of women’s football over the years.

From underdogs to continental finalists

The Scorchers entered the tournament without the same level of expectation surrounding some of Africa’s traditional women’s football powerhouses.

However, match after match, Malawi defied expectations and established themselves as one of the standout teams of the competition.

Their victory over Algeria in the semi-final was particularly significant, as it confirmed Malawi’s place in the WAFCON final and secured a historic World Cup qualification.

Although Cameroon ultimately ended Malawi’s title hopes with a 3-0 victory in the final, the result does little to diminish what the Scorchers achieved throughout the tournament.

Finishing as continental runners-up represents Malawi’s best-ever performance at the WAFCON and marks a major turning point for the women’s game in the country.

The team has returned from Morocco with a silver medal, a World Cup place and, perhaps most importantly, a renewed belief among Malawians that the country’s women footballers can compete with Africa’s best.

Nyamilandu believes the players deserve every praise, reward and accolade for their efforts.

The Scorchers may have entered the tournament as underdogs, but they leave it as continental finalists and symbols of what Malawian women can achieve when talent is given opportunity, support and the belief to dream big.

Their historic WAFCON journey has not ended with the final whistle in Morocco. Instead, it could mark the beginning of a new era for women’s football in Malawi.

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