Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
National Bank of Malawi has rewarded the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers, with K500 million following their historic performance at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The financial reward recognises the Scorchers’ impressive campaign, which saw Malawi finish as runners-up in the continental tournament and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil for the first time in the country’s history.
National Bank Head of Marketing Akossa Hiwa announced the K500 million reward on Saturday during a breakfast hosted by the bank in Lilongwe to honour the team.
Hiwa said the award was aimed at recognising the players’ outstanding achievement while reaffirming National Bank’s commitment to supporting women’s football in Malawi.
“We have awarded the Scorchers K500 million in recognition of their outstanding WAFCON achievement, and we pledge our continued support as the team prepares for next year’s World Cup,” Hiwa said.
Scorchers make history at WAFCON
The Scorchers produced one of Malawi’s most significant achievements in international football by reaching the final of the 2026 WAFCON.
Their run in Morocco not only earned them a historic continental runners-up finish but also secured Malawi’s qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The qualification represents the first time the Scorchers will compete at the global women’s football tournament.
The team’s success has generated widespread excitement in Malawi and increased calls for greater investment in women’s football.
Sports Council praises National Bank support
Malawi National Council of Sports Acting Chief Executive Officer Ivy Chinangwa welcomed National Bank’s financial support, saying the Scorchers’ success demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in sport.
Chinangwa said the team’s performance showed that Malawian athletes could compete successfully at the highest level when provided with adequate resources and support.
“The Scorchers’ remarkable performance demonstrates that with the right investment, support and commitment, Malawian athletes and teams can compete successfully at the highest level,” Chinangwa said.
She also called for increased investment in women’s sport, particularly programmes designed to provide athletes with the resources and preparation required for international competition.
FAM welcomes K500 million reward
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya also praised National Bank for its continued support of the women’s game.
Haiya said the K500 million reward would provide an important boost to the development of women’s football in Malawi.
“We thank National Bank for its commitment to the women’s game. The support is a major boost to the continued development of women’s football in Malawi,” Haiya said.
The reward comes at an important time for the Scorchers as preparations begin for their historic appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Focus now turns to 2027 World Cup
With WAFCON success behind them, attention will now shift towards preparing the Scorchers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Malawi’s qualification has created a new opportunity for the country to showcase its women’s football talent on the world stage.
The K500 million from National Bank is expected to complement other support towards the team’s preparations and help provide the players and technical staff with the resources required for the global tournament.
The Scorchers’ achievement has also strengthened the case for long-term investment in women’s football, from grassroots development and player welfare to international preparation.
For National Bank, the reward represents continued support for a team that has raised Malawi’s profile in African football and achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Scorchers will now look to build on their remarkable WAFCON campaign as Malawi prepares for its historic debut at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
