Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
August 25, 2026
LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s historic Scorchers campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) continues to bring financial rewards, with the national women’s football team receiving millions of kwacha in recognition of its remarkable achievement of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Scorchers made history in Morocco by becoming the first Malawi women’s national team to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Malawi secured its World Cup place after defeating Ghana 2–1 in the WAFCON quarter-final, a result that sent the debutants into the semi-finals and guaranteed qualification for the global tournament.
The team then went a step further by defeating Algeria 3–1 in the semi-final to reach the WAFCON final, another unprecedented achievement for Malawian women’s football.
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Although the Scorchers eventually lost 3–0 to Cameroon in the final, they returned home as continental runners-up and World Cup qualifiers.
Government rewards Scorchers players
President Peter Mutharika awarded K5 million to each Scorchers player following the team’s historic WAFCON campaign.
The presentation was made during a luncheon held in honour of the team after its return from Morocco, with the First Lady, Gertrude Mutharika, also presenting gifts to members of the squad.
The reward was described as recognition of the players’ commitment and achievement in putting Malawi on the global women’s football map.
National Bank announces K500 million reward
The financial recognition has also come from the corporate sector.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) has awarded the Scorchers K500 million following their outstanding WAFCON performance and historic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
NBM chairman Grant Kabango said the bank regarded the players as national heroes and praised their determination and sacrifice.
The bank has been a major supporter of the Scorchers and previously announced a wider sports sponsorship programme worth K1.58 billion.
More rewards for the historic team
The Scorchers have also attracted other rewards following their unprecedented campaign.
NBS Bank announced a K245 million bonus package, with reports indicating that each player involved in the campaign would receive K7 million, while the remainder would be shared among members of the delegation, including technical staff and officials.
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The rewards underline the growing commercial value of women’s football in Malawi following the team’s breakthrough on the continental stage.
World Cup dream now becomes reality
The biggest prize from the campaign, however, is qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA says Malawi’s qualification was built on years of investment in grassroots and women’s football, including support through the FIFA Forward programme. The Scorchers entered the WAFCON ranked 153rd in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking but defied expectations to reach the final.
For Malawi, the achievement represents more than a sporting milestone.
It provides the country with an opportunity to compete against the world’s best women’s national teams while giving a new generation of Malawian girls a powerful example of what is possible through investment, development and determination.
The Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, were among the standout performers during the historic campaign, while Temwa later won the WAFCON Golden Boot.
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From WAFCON debutants to World Cup history makers
Before the tournament, Malawi had never qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Within weeks, the Scorchers had reached the continental final and secured the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification.
Their journey has therefore transformed the status of women’s football in Malawi and generated unprecedented national interest.
With the rewards continuing to arrive, attention now turns to how the money and increased support can be converted into long-term investment in women’s football—from grassroots development and player welfare to training facilities and international preparation.
The Scorchers have already made history.
Their challenge now is to ensure that the breakthrough in Morocco becomes the beginning of a new era for women’s football in Malawi.
