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Malawi have named a provisional squad for WAFCON 2026, setting up an early test against the Super Falcons in Group C. Head coach Lovemore Fazili called up 32 players as the Scorchers begin preparing for the tournament in Morocco.
The Gist
- Malawi name 32-player provisional WAFCON squad
- They open Group C against defending champions Nigeria
- Match set for Rabat on July 28
Nigeria, the record champions, sit in the same group. That makes Malawi’s selection a story Nigerian fans will follow closely.
The Super Falcons travel to Morocco as favourites once again. But every rival squad named in the build-up offers a fresh clue about the challenge ahead.
Inside Malawi’s WAFCON 2026 squad
Fazili’s list blends experience with youth. He handed places to Under-20 forwards Takondwa Chinyamvula and Fatima Lali, two names tipped for bigger roles in the years ahead.
The bigger boost is the return of vice-captain Temwa Chawinga. The forward had missed the team’s recent fixtures, and her recall lifts Malawi’s attacking options before the squad is trimmed to its final size.
Chawinga is the player Nigeria will watch most. A prolific striker in club football abroad, she gives the Scorchers a genuine threat in the final third.
How Malawi line up against the Super Falcons
The draw placed Malawi in Group C alongside Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt. It is a demanding group, and the Scorchers open against the defending champions.
Malawi face Nigeria on July 28, 2026 at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. They then meet Egypt on August 1 at the Moulay Hassan Stadium, before closing the group stage against Zambia on August 5, again at Al Madina.
For a side outside Africa’s traditional powers, that schedule offers little room to settle. An opening fixture against Nigeria leaves no margin for a slow start.
What it means for Nigeria
The Super Falcons go to Morocco chasing another continental crown. Coach Justine Madugu’s side remain the team to beat, but Group C is no formality.
Zambia carry attacking quality of their own, while Egypt will be organised and stubborn. Malawi, with Chawinga back, complete a group that demands focus from the first whistle.
Nigeria’s history at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is unmatched. Yet recent editions have shown that opponents now arrive better prepared, and early-round upsets are no longer rare.
The hosting in Morocco adds another layer. North African conditions and well-organised local support can stretch even the strongest visiting sides.
Malawi’s quiet rise
Malawi are not among Africa’s traditional women’s football powers. Reaching the finals is itself a marker of steady progress for the Scorchers.
Chawinga’s emergence as a striker abroad has given the team a focal point. Around her, Fazili is building a side that wants to compete rather than simply make up the numbers.
A point against any of the group’s bigger names would count as a major result. That ambition explains the careful blend of youth and experience in the provisional list.
The road ahead
Malawi will cut the 32-player list before the tournament kicks off. Fazili must balance the fitness of returning stars with the energy of his younger call-ups.
For Nigeria, the message is simple. Respect every opponent, start fast, and treat the opener as a chance to set the tone for the title defence.
WAFCON 2026 promises a competitive Group C. With the Malawi provisional squad now public, the build-up to the Falcons’ first match has truly begun.
Source: Football Association of Malawi
