Banyana Banyana versus Malawi's Scorchers’ friendlies in limbo
- Peter Kanjere
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
Banyana Banyana v Malawi:
Photo Credit: Football Association of Malawi.
Malawi senior women’s football team’s prospect of playing friendlies against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana next week hangs in the balance.
South African Football Association (SAFA) invited the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to have the two regional top teams meet on 5 and 8 April 2025 to warm-up ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) assignments.
However, via a statement on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, FAM confirmed that SAFA has indicated that it was facing challenges that cast doubt on the two friendlies.
“However, the hosts have today communicated that they are having logistical challenges to organize the matches and will confirm before the end of the week if the matches will proceed,” the statement reads.
Despite the uncertainty on the warm-ups, Malawi coach Lovemore Fazili has named a squad mostly made up of home-based players for the camp training from March 26 to April 9, 2025.
The Scorchers started camp training on Tuesday, March 26 2025 to fine-tune for the 2026 WAFCON qualifier against Angola in October 2025.
Here is the full squad:
Goalkeepers; Mercy Sikelo (Kukoma Ntopwa), Yamikani Kaonga (MDF Lioness), Witness Mhone (Topik Sisters), Ireen Sibande (Silver Strikers Ladies).
Defenders; Ireen Khumalo (Silver Strikers Ladies) Rose Alufandika (Kukoma Ntopwa), Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Academy) Maggie Chavula (Ascent Academy) Justina Jumbo (Silver Strikers Ladies) Olivia Phikani (Kukoma Ntopwa) Martha Mwakikunga (Topik Sisters), Shilla Mangani (Mighty Wanderers), Lydia Nchochoma (Kukoma Ntopwa).
Midfielders; Leticia Chinyamula (Ascent Academy) Tendai Sani (FCB NBB Women), Zainab Kapanda (FCB NBB Women), Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lioness), Tionge Chirwa (Topik Sisters) Faluma Umali (Mighty Wanderers), Jessie Yosefe (Civil Service Women) Sarah Mulimbika (Ndirande) Funny Magombo (Kukoma Ntopwa) Caroline Mathyola (Silver Strikers Ladies).
Strikers; Chisomo Banda (Silver Strikers Ladies) Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women) Sabina Thom (WFC Lanchkhuti).